The Plinkit Illinois project makes developing and maintaining interactive Web sites easier for Illinois libraries, particularly those with older, static Web sites or no Web site at all.  All type of libraries are invited to participate.

There is no need to have Web development/HTML knowledge.  Templates have already been developed for libraries to use.  The notion of using a template is to help you get your site up and running quickly.  You review the templates to see what makes sense for your library and make changes accordingly.  If you can copy and paste from a word processing program, you can use Plinkit.

Participating libraries receive training and assistance with setting up their Plinkit websites. Plinkit Web sites are hosted, so libraries do not need to purchase or maintain servers.

Library Responsibilities

• Providing the information and graphics needed to configure the Plinkit Web site.
• Establishing the Plinkit Web site as the library’s only public Web site within 45 days of training.
• Providing staff or volunteer resources for at least two hours/week for maintaining the Web site.
• Participating in an email list and at least two Plinkit technology training programs per year.
• Yearly costs will not exceed $300.  For FY2011 the yearly fee will be $275.  The other annual cost you would have is renewing your domain name (varies from $35 per year for 1 year to $20 per year for 5 years).  Free domain names are available from the state (name.lib.il.us).

For more information on Plinkit, visit the Illinois Plinkit Web site at www.illinoisplinkit.org.  Under “Who Uses Plinkit?” check out links to Illinois libraries that currently have Plinkit sites.  Also, to get an idea of what is involved in updating a site:  Click on Help Center – Video Tutorials – Quick Tip 1 – Editing Pages.

If your library might be interested, the library director (or designated representative) should email Nicholas Bennyhoff at nicholasbennyhoff@lcls.org. Your email is an expression of interest only, not a commitment to participate.

Plinkit (Public Library Interface Kit) is a cooperative effort of the Illinois regional Library Systems.  Illinois is one of four states that currently compose the Plinkit Collaborative (also Oregon, Texas, and Colorado).  This four-state collaborative is looking to expand the program to other states and other types of libraries.

* Plinkit Illinois is an LSTA project. Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

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