From the press release:
CONTENTdm 6, the latest version of OCLC’s popular CONTENTdm Digital Collection Management software, offers a complete redesign for the end-user experience along with new website configuration tools that enable digital collection administrators to easily customize their collections websites without programming expertise. CONTENTdm now offers new customization options, new architecture and improvements for search engine optimization.
Created with a user-centered design approach, the new CONTENTdm is the result of extensive usability testing. OCLC incorporated the feedback from these usability studies—along with CONTENTdm user community input, security and performance considerations, and a secondary design goal of ease of customization—to create a more intuitive experience for end users and tools that enable digital collection administrators to quickly customize their collections websites.
The new CONTENTdm website has consistently passed usability tests with 97 percent of end users able to accomplish their tasks. Improved usability leads to greater use and participation in libraries’ digital collections. The new end-user interface offers simpler access to digital items, easier navigation paths, dynamic interaction with digital items and multiple avenues for discovery. It also offers end users more functionality, including the ability to share digital items (via e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and many more), an enhanced image viewer for zooming and panning, and viewing images in full screen, as well as features that support discoverability such as QuickView, Advanced Search, Suggested Topics, Facets, breadcrumbs and RSS feeds.
The new Website Configuration Tool enables CONTENTdm digital collection administrators to tailor the appearance and behavior of their collections. With the new tool, administrators have the ability to create a branded look and feel for their websites, without programming skills or Web developer resources. Administrators can customize colors and styles or upload logos, as well as preview their website before publishing any changes, using the toolset. Additionally, all customizations persist through future software updates.
