Library Portlet for Academic Department Websites
Polk Library offers a service to enhance academic department websites by adding a “portlet” to the website’s side column, featuring subject-specific library resources.
Library Resources Available
The following content is currently available in the portlet; each item's content is specific to the academic department, based on the corresponding content on the its subject page on the library website: http://www.uwosh.edu/library/subjects
Note that not all types of content are available for each department.
See below for explanations of the two Content Management Options.
| Present on Standard Template | Available in Data Feed | |
|---|---|---|
| Link to Subject Page | Yes | Yes |
| Research Databases | Yes: 3-5 listed | Yes |
| Reference & Background | Yes: category link only | Yes |
| K-12 Education Materials | Yes: category link only | Yes |
| Government Information | Yes: category link only | Yes |
| UW Oshkosh Archives & ARC | Yes: category link only | Yes |
| Campus Resources | Yes: category link only | Yes |
| News | Yes: 1 maximum | Yes |
| New Books | Yes | Yes |
| Films on Demand | Yes: category link only | Yes |
| Featured Database | No | Yes |
Content Management Options
Academic Departments may choose between two versions of this service.
| Option 1: Standard Template | Option 2: Data Feed | |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | A standard HTML template offered to all academic departments, updated dynamically by Polk Library. Recommended for most departments. | A data feed (JSON) provided by Polk Library, which the academic department can use to display a custom selection of library resources. Recommended for departments with web development capability. |
| Content Selection | Based on content available on the library's subject page for that department: http://www.uwosh.edu/library/subjects | |
| Polk Library determines the content of the portlet, with one template that we use for all departments choosing this option. This option does not include all content available on the library's subject page for that department. | The Department selects exactly what content to display; the options include most content available on the library's subject page. More content choices are available than are included in the template provided for the other option. | |
| Content Updates | Polk Library may change the content of this template at any time; updates will be reflected automatically on the Department's website. | Polk Library may add to the content of this data feed at any time, but no changes are visible on the Department's website without departmental work. Polk Library may change or delete existing feed content with prior notice to the department, which may require changes by the department. |
| Development & Maintenance Responsibility | Polk Library assists the Department website's Plone editor(s) / designers(s) to install the portlet, and will assist them should maintenance be needed in the future. | The Department's Plone editor(s) / designer(s) install the portlet, decide what content to include, and write the corresponding Javascript code. Polk Library provides an example of this code and basic installation instructions, but development and maintenance are the department's responsibility. |
| Visual Design | The template's HTML cannot be changed by the Department. CSS rules are inherited from the department website; the department's editor(s) / designer(s) may adjust the CSS if they have the relevant skills. | HTML and CSS are fully controlled by the Department. |
| Usage Analytics | Both the Department and Polk Library may use Google Analytics or other tools to anonymously track usage of the Portlet, to learn how it is used in practice and make changes to improve the Portlet and related services. | |
