About Library à la Carte

What is Library à la Carte?

With Library à la Carte, librarians can create dynamic course or subject guides and research tutorials.

1. What is Library à la Carte?
Library à la Carte is software that lets librarians build customized Web pages by choosing exactly what they want from a menu of choices. With this tool, any librarian can build a course Webpage, assignment tip sheet or subject guide in minutes without writing a single line of HTML. It is a content management system that makes integrating Web 2.0 features, chat and RSS feeds, etc. with traditional library content, such as catalogs and article databases into Web pages a snap.

2. What can I create with it?
You can create course assignment or tip pages, subject research or general library guides, and online research or assignment tutorials from reusable modules, the building blocks in Library à la Carte.

Choose from Library à la Carte modules: Librarian Profile, Comments, RSS Feeds, Multi-Media Widgets, Custom Content, Databases, Course Reserves, Instructor Profile, Attachments, Web Links, Catalog Books, YouTube Videos, Quizzes and Images.

3. Why Library à la Carte?
If you want out-of-the box subject and course guide creation and management. If you have found that other CMS's are "overkill" for what you need. If you want to be free of subscription costs and vendor lock down. If you want complete control over the layout and appearance of the site. If you want to own your data and add your own functionality and you know how to do it. That is, if you want an easy to use tool that is ready to use, customizable and extensible then Library à la Carte might be for you.

4. What knowledge do I need to create Guides?
To create and manage guides day to day, all you need to know is basic computer and internet skills. If you are familiar with online forms and Microsoft Word you typically can be productive in no time at all. Content is created in our easy to use Word-like editor. No HTML or other coding is needed.

5. What knowledge do I need to install Library à la Carte?
To install, you should have a basic understanding of:

  • Creating Databases, and backing up / restoring databases
  • Working with, and transferring files to a remote host
  • Manipulating permissions on remote hosts
  • A basic understanding of HTML and CSS
  • Diagnosing errors
  • An ability to learn independently, and do some research on your own.

6. How much does Library à la Carte cost?
Library à la Carte does not charge any licensing fees for using our software. Licensed as a GNU GPL project, the only costs you'll directly incur are those you choose, such as servers, services and bandwidth.

7. What are the technical requirements?

8. How can I help?
You can visit the forums and answer posts by other users to questions that you may have already solved. You can give us feedback on what works and features you would like to see. Also, we're always looking for design help with templates or CSS work. Documentation is always in need of enhancement. You can also help test out release candidates before they go live. Contact us or hit the forums to get involved.

Who's Using it and Reviews

Libraries Using Library à la Carte

These libraries are currently using Library à la Carte to create and manage their course and subject guides.

  • Oregon State University
  • Portland Community College
  • Reed College
  • California State University San Marcos

Libraries In Progress

These Libraries are currently in the process of installing Library à la Carte. Some of these libraries are implementing features specifically for their instance.

  • University of Arizona
  • University of California Berkeley
  • California State University Channel Islands
  • California State University Monterey Bay

Since the tool is open-source there may be many more libraries using Library à la Carte. These are the libraries that we know of.

Let us know if you are using or planning on using Library à la Carte!

Buzz and Reviews

"Yesterday I used 'Library à la Carte' for the first time with three classes. It was a smashing success. I got at least 10 students who said, 'Thanks for putting that site together for us.' The professor thanked me at least 3 times." - Librarian

"It's so much easier (than using dreamweaver) to make changes to a page. I added content to my page between classes, I could never have done that without the Library à la Carte tool. Thanks!" -Librarian

"Library à la Carte is as easy to use as blog software and as familiar as Facebook. Nice design!" -Librarian

"Many thanks for putting together that web site for our training and class. I have not only gone back to use it, I showed it to a professor and encouraged him to think of offering something like that to their students." -Student

"I just wanted to say 'Thank You' for this page for BA 352. It's very useful and I just ordered a book through summit" -Student

"It was very nice to have one source that I could begin with to find the information I needed to complete my assignment." -Student

"I liked how the site was customize for each of the listed classes" -Student

"The instructor was so pleased with the ICA that he actually went over the page with the students before coming for today's session and has passed it on to the other sociology faculty. " -Librarian

"The course reserves module is awesome! Just wanted to say thanks for making my job easier." -Librarian

"I just wanted to take the opportunity to say kudos! on developing an excellent, open-source tool for the library community." -Librarian

"This is such an awesome thing OSU libraries have given us!" -Developer

"I can see lots of potential for integration with Drupal and other applications." -Developer

"Library a la Carte is very extensible and integrating your own theme is very easy." -Developer

"Library a la Carte is our preferred subject guide tool. We looked at using Moodle, LibGuides, and Drupal for subject guides as well." -Developer

"I just took a look at Library a la Carte. It looks
great!" -Librarian

Research and Papers

Articles & Presentations

Several papers and multiple presentations cover the background and describe various aspects of this project.

Roadmap & Support

View our roadmap and follow current development at our trac site.

Suggest new features, get help, or join the discussion on our forums.

Usability Testing

Usability testing is a central piece in the development of the Library à la Carte tool. Browse the usability reports for more information.

Credits

Project lead: Margaret Mellinger. Engineering Librarian. OSU web team member.

Co-lead: Jane Nichols. Humanities Librarian. OSU usability team lead.

Programmer, designer, and project manager: Kim Griggs

Alumni: Laurie Bridges, Allison Bobal, Valery King. Reference librarians.

Emails: {first.last}@oregonstate.edu