Classes are scheduled on the L2 (Library Learning) Calendar.  Any PALS member is welcome to sign up for a class, but to take part in hands-on editing during the class, your library needs to complete the SiteMaker registration form at least a week in advance.

PALS SiteMaker is a new service which makes website creation and maintenance easy for PALS libraries.

Features.
Sign-up form. 

PALS has customized the basic Drupal installation with several additional modules.  The template has been specially configured and seeded with an  initial structure of pages, menus, and links for our libraries. Your library's site will include:

• Online editing and site management. To add or change pages, just log into your website.
• Several visual themes from which to choose, some with color variations available. See the "Switch Graphic Theme" menu on the left.
• Easy-to-use editing forms. Body text is typed into a box with formatting buttons, like a word processor. See illustration below.
• Optional scheduling of updates. Pages and news items can be written in advance and scheduled to automatically appear on the site on a future date. They can also be scheduled to automatically get removed from the site on a specified date.
• Easy uploading of images, PDF files and Word documents.
• Events calendar which supports repeating events and optional online registration for programs. Events may be categorized by type (class, meeting, holiday, etc.) and by audience (adults, children, families, etc.). A calendar grid and list of upcoming events are displayed on the home page.
• Promotion of any page or news item to the front page. "Sticky" content remains at the top of the page when new home-page items are added.
• Pre-built template with menus, links, and "seed" pages ready for your library's information to be added.
• RSS feeds of the home-page content, news items, and calendar events.
• Optional text-size selector for your site's visitors.
• Initial customization of your site (performed by PALS):
  • Library branding in top banner and page footer (library name, logo, optional slogan, address, phone, website address).
  • "Contact Us" form, configured to be sent to the email address(es) of your choice. The form includes an anti-spam field.
  • For PrairieCat members, a catalog search box and link customized for your OPAC portal. Catalog access for non-PrairieCat libraries will be customized if possible.
  • For PrairieCat members and any other libraries with patron library-card login for FirstSearch, FirstSearch links configured for your library's card login screen.
  • For AskAway Illinois participants, AskAway links configured for your library's chat form.
  • Optional WeatherUnderground.com weather bug for your area.

Click here to sign up for PALS SiteMaker.

PALS members can now set up and maintain their sites through the PALS SiteMaker program. PALS SiteMaker uses the open-source Drupal site-management software and provides libraries with a ready-made template for building their websites.

Any library in PALS may join, regardless of size or type. PALS SiteMaker may be used for your library's primary website, or to build a secondary site (e.g., for your Friends group, for teens, etc.).

The initial annual fee for each participating PALS member library is a $50 web hosting charge, with free training provided by PALS this summer. Prior to your training, PALS will brand your site (library name, logo, slogan, address and phone number) and make a few other customizations for your library (email address for contact form, links to catalog and FirstSearch, local weather bug).

See a list of PALS SiteMaker features.

Click here to sign up for PALS SiteMaker.