Creating Database-Backed Library Web Pages: Using Open Source Tools - Softcover

Westman, Stephen R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0838909108 ISBN 13: 9780838909102

Publisher: ALA Editions, 2006

Synopsis

Database-backed Web pages provide many advantages for libraries; users get accurate and up-to-date information in real time, and site maintenance and data publishing are much easier. As appealing an idea as database-backed pages are, the "how-tos" of creating them remain a mystery to many librarians. This hands-on resource provides the tools to improve users' results by providing current data, make site maintenance and data publishing much easier, and even add new usefulness to existing data. Following these clear, step-by-step explanations, readers will find proven solutions for answers to questions like: What are database-backed Web pages? How much technical know-how is needed to do this? When, and for what kinds of information, are database-backed Web pages appropriate? What are Open Source tools? Who can use Open Source software? and Why is it appropriate for libraries? This authoritative, money-saving guide takes readers through a complete project from concept to implementation. It serves both beginner and expert librarians involved with designing and maintaining websites, as well as IT managers and administrators seeking expert guidance on hardware, software, and programming and documentation procedures. Packed with expert advice and links to real tools, this powerful, hands-on reference will streamline webmasters' results and customers' searches.

About this title

About the Author

Stephen R. Westman is Digital Information Services Librarian at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte where he is involved in creating databases to organize and provide access to information on the Web. Information retrieval issues have dominated his career, as he held similar positions at Georgia College and Georgia State University, University of Texas, and Ohio State University. For 18 years, he has worked with databases, focusing for the past ten years on using relational databases to create Web pages and applications. He earned his M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign.

From Booklist

As they struggle with an ever-increasing volume of data and knowledge, librarians seek new and more efficient ways of managing information. This practical guide offers solutions by describing how to use open-source tools (free, cross-platform software) and relational databases to create Web pages. The text, divided into three sections, first addresses database basics, setup, and administration. The second section focuses on programming and creating reports, while the last one examines a database-based Web project step-by-step from conception and design through programming and implementation. Although the author does assume that readers have basic familiarity with html, he is careful to explain concepts thoroughly and eschews technical language. He even provides sample forms and annotated source code for his sample applications. This is a helpful and user-friendly resource that fills an important void. Sean Kinder
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: ALA Editions
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0838909108
• ISBN 13: 9780838909102
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 268