KE EMu User Groups Robert Patterson Michele Watson

What defines a User Group? An organization of users of a specific hardware or software product. Members share experiences and ideas to improve their understanding and use of a particular product. User groups are often responsible for influencing vendors to modify or enhance their products.* *The Free Dictionary by Farlex

Types of User Groups There are several types of User Groups. User Group by Broad Topics User Groups by Specific Topics User Groups by Module User Groups by Functionality

User Groups by Broad Topics This type includes User Groups defined by broad topics such as Ethnology, Natural Sciences, History, Art Gallery. The ties between the members of these groups may be very broad and tenuous depending on the focus of their institution but they can still have many things in common.

User Groups by Modules This Group includes Users who have a particular interest in the overall use of certain modules. At our institution this would include Modules such as Sites, Collection Events, Loans and Events.

User Groups by Specific Topics This type of User Group would be made up of users who have an interest in a certain defined topic or Field. Some areas of interest in our institution include: Bilingual Object Names; the evolution, storage and definition of Cultural Name; and the evolution, storage of changing Geographical Names.

User Groups by Functionality This type of User Group may be defined by a users interest in a particular functionality aspect of KE. These groups may include such areas as: barcode; Crystal Reports; Using ArcView with KE; Storing, creating, and delivering multimedia via KE.

Why have User Groups? No one institution will have all the answers. Why reinvent the wheel? Shared Costs Larger Combined Voice=Greater Influence Standardization for Museums Easier Implementation of New Versions

Where do we go from here? Defined institutional memberships? Where do we post discussions? Leadership of Groups? Reporting of Groups? Will KE listen to anything the User Groups say or want?