New FDLP Desktop

from the Fall, 2007, FDLC

The new FDLP Desktop, with a nice-easy-to-remember URL, has a lot of potential for making many depository administrative tasks easier, making valuable information more readily accessible, and for interaction tools that we can take advantage of in our group. Not all functionality is available at present, but they are hoping to continue to add features over the next few months.

High points:

• Depository coordinators should have received passwords via email for completing the Biennial Survey. These passwords will log you in to the Desktop and can be changed to something more memorable if you like. As soon as the Survey was closed (Oct. 31) they expect to open registration to all depository staff, although at first this expanded registration will be open to regionals only.
• Once you're logged in, you should fill in your "profile," which gives contact and other information; you can even select a picture to display!
• News items rotate both at the top of the main page, and in the video window. You can click on the "headlines" to see the full article (although sometimes there isn't one!)
• The main news article will be in the large left column; it will eventually move to the middle column, and then on to the logical category from the navigation bars at the top
• The right-hand column has links to useful items like your profile, your promotional items order record, a calendar and a list of currently pending surveys and other items requiring attention
• Top menu bars. Some links still go to old website versions, as they are gradually migrating everything to the new system. Also, some links just don't work (but more do than used to). Most useful sections will be
• Depository Administration, where there are links to information on the basic collection, policies and procedures, and the new handbook
• Manage your Collection has links to the Item Lister, the PURL referral service, DDM, the superceded list, etc.
• Outreach and Education has links to online training sessions (including a record of which ones you've taken) and ordering promotional materials (under "Promote your Library")
• Help has links to AskGPO, a glossary, a site map, a useful File Repository (which includes files linked to from all news stories), the LSCM director email form (which sends direct emails to those in charge of the various sections of and their new FDLP Express service, which allows you to request only emails in certain categories
• Possible interactive possibilities for our group include putting meeting announcements on the calendar and forming a group using their messaging system that could be used for posting of minutes, announcements, etc.
• At present the site seems to work better with Firefox. If you use Explorer and experience glitches, let GPO know. Karen Sieger is the very capable and helpful GPO staffer in charge of the desktop. [KA]

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