A while ago we posted a message to this list asking if anybody know of any
software that the library service could use to help local clubs create their
own websites. We thought you'd like to hear what we've been doing since.
"About Medway" is a NOF funded project setting up a community information
portal for the Medway area. We are a member of the seamlessUK consortium.
As part of the "About Medway" project representatives from a wide range of
different clubs and societies from Girl Guides to Age Concern and Scrabble
Clubs to Pre-Schools are creating their own free websites. The project is
led by Medway Library and Information Service and training is being
delivered by a tutor from the Medway Adult and Community Learning Service.
There are no costs involved - the training is free and the scheme is using
free software specially designed for community groups from a company called
ik.com (<http://www.communitykit.ik.com/>)
We used the library database of clubs and societies (MOLE) as the starting
point to offer the training and advertised the courses in the council
newsletter to residents and in the local press. We have had a very
enthusiastic response - so far 105 people have completed the training and 65
websites have been developed. See <http://www.onepine.info/medlibrary.htm>
to view a list of all the sites being created. We are planning more
sessions for the autumn. People's Network computers can be used to update
the websites and we are starting to train library staff in the ik software
so that they can assist the public with updating their websites.
We have had very positive feedback from participants. Groups seem
particularly keen to put their meeting dates and newsletters on a website
and as individuals they have learnt new or consolidated previous computing
skills - particularly relating to working with images.
We are currently working with ik.com to add metadata to these local sites so
that they can be harvested by our community information portal.
To find out more about the project contact:
Lucy Atherton or Helen Leech at Gillingham Library 01634 281066 or email
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