Learning from Libraries that Use WordPress

Book excerpt: With its intuitive interface and open-source development method, the WordPress web platform has emerged as a uniquely flexible content management system (CMS) with many library-related applications. In this book Jones and Farrington, two web designer/librarians, explore the variety of ways libraries are implementing WordPress as a CMS, from simple "out-of-the-box" websites to large sites with many custom features. Emphasizing a library-specific perspective, the authors Offer a brief history of WordPress, reviewing its genesis and sketching in some possible future directions Analyze the software's strengths and weaknesses, spotlighting its advantages over other existing web publishing platforms as well as discussing the limitations libraries have encountered Present a variety of case studies, offering first-hand examples which detail why WordPress was selected, methods of implementation and degree of customization, feedback from users, and reflections on usability Discuss essential plug-ins, themes, and other specialized applications for library sites This useful book shows how scores of libraries have used WordPress to create library websites that are both user-friendly and easy to maintain.