CMS Interview

For this assignment I contacted Jarvis Sims, head of the Information Technology Department for the Hall County Library System, on May 23, 2012.  I conducted a face-to-face interview at the library Headquarters in Mr. Sims office. 

1.      How and where did they hear about CMS?

Well, I heard about it a while ago, going thru school and at my previous site of employment.  When I started working here, the library was not using CMS, so immediately I started working towards having a website easier to manage.

2.      What were your motivations to adopt CMS for its current use?

First of all, my main motivation for adopting CMS was that there is no coding or HTML involved.  I had to make it easy to use for other staff that has not coding or HTML knowledge.  Second, the fact that it allows to add common functionalities like forms, wikis, blogs, online stores, etc., in a short amount of time. Last but not least, it is free.

3.      What was your decision making criteria? And what is the name of CMS they are using now?

We are currently using Joomla 1.7, testing 2.5.  During my decision making I took into consideration how hard it will be to install and maintain; and how often the software is updated.  Another thing I had to consider was how would the other staff helping maintain the site would like it.

4.      What are the important benefits or advantages of CMS they are using now over the old system or another CMS system they've used in the past?

Prior to using Joomla we were using straight up HTML coding to manage our site, so the advantages are many.  The main one is that with Joomla there is no coding or HTML involved in the process.  Joomla does it for me, and I can concentrate in how the site looks versus how it functions.  Features to the website can be added instantly as oppose to taking weeks to do.

I also considered Drupal at the time, but did not like the admistrator panel, seemed very convoluted, and I had to keep in mind the non-IT staff that would have to use it.

5.      How was the learning curve?

Joomla was easy to understand and work with.  I was able to teach it to other staff members, who have none or minimal web design knowledge.

6.      How has using Joomla changed the library’s website?

It has given our patrons abilities they never had before.  Now our patrons are able to shop online, chat with staff members and give feedback among others.  The site is more user-friendly and appealing to the eye.

Reflection:  The fact that it takes more than one person to manage a website to me it’s amazing, but after our last assignment, I understand better.  Even using a CMS like Joomla, with all its advantages, it takes a lot of work to build, maintain and keep a website current. Mr. Sims had to take a lot of different things into consideration before choosing a CMS that would fit his library system’s needs, considering both staff and patrons needs as well.