Archival Edition: January 2004

New Web Site Design Implemented, Content Management Added

The Nelson Poynter Web Site is finishing the final stages of implementing a new web design, following the lead of the campus redesign project. The campus web redesign includes a new header and footer for all USF St. Petersburg Pages. The new USF St. Petersburg design was put into motion by the new position of Campus Webmaster, a recently created position now held by John Husfield.

What makes the library's role in the process different from prior redesigns is that we are also adopting a content management system to control the site, which will allow varying levels of content and design contribution by both library web designers and content contributors. Three library web designers will both set guidelines on style and also create templates to adopt and revise that style. Then, web content contributors will be able to utilize these newly formed templates to rapidly create new pages to display or revise content.

Our redesign project is scheduled to be complete by the end of January, and will boast both design improvements as well as navigational and content additions. A few highlights of these changes include:

FCLA Funded Equipment will Improve Print Services, Network Services

The Florida Center for Library Automation grants funding to improve technology within libraries throughout the state. Our library uses this grant as a springboard to enhance it's systems and network capabilities. This year, the library will be purchasing a new Hewlett Packard Printer to provide faster and more reliable printing in public areas through our Pharos Printing system, as well as equipment to enhance our network and wireless access services.

As a result, students will be able to use their NetID in order to register and use personal laptops in the 1st and 2nd floor study rooms within the library. Also slated for this year is the addition of a Dell Network Server and automated file archiving software to improve file storage, as well as a network infrastructure server to monitor the library's network and server operations.

Technology Survey Results are in....

And the responses are overwhelmingly positive, indicating that students are happy with the addition of Microsoft Office software that was implemented in the Fall of 2003. Also, the latest technology addition, wireless internet services for students, was viewed as a positive step for library information systems growth. A web form was used to collect the data from within the library public use area, with over a hundred responses collected. A warm thank you to all of the students, staff and faculty that participated in the three question survey.

SAPL Approves the Purchase of a Second Circulating Laptop

The Society for Advancement of Poynter Library approved an additional Dell Latitude laptop for use by student within the library. The initial laptop that was purchased has been in heavy use since it was implemented in the Fall of 2003. The addition of a second laptop will help to provide a more consistent, available service for students wanting to conduct research from any of our several wireless zones on all floors of the library. For more information on the laptop and for coverage maps of the library for both the Circulationg Laptop as well as student owned laptops, please visit the Library Systems Departmental web page.

VIP Station Replacement Ordered

Our Visually Impaired workroom, located in POY 1--, allows those with visual impairments to view and listen to web and Microsoft documents through the use of a computer and special software. Our Student Disability Services Department will be funding a new Dell computer to enhance these services. Paired with Zoomtext, the latest screen magnification and reading software, it will be an important tool for the library and the student community. Also available in the VIP room is an Aladdin text magnification station, which allows various print materials to be magnified and displayed on a monitor. The Aladdin machine is available for use at any time, simple inquire at the reference desk on the 1st floor of the library.