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WordPress for Libraries: Create Great Library Websites with WordPress CMS (Content Management System)

SELECTED WORDPRESS RESOURCES

Documentation, books, tips, help and downloads

• Download WordPress If your web hosting company doesn't offer a simple WordPress installation option, you might be able to install it yourself. Easier to find a hosting service that offers it though.
• WordPress Codex - documentation
• Selected Tips:
• Hardening WordPress - Tips on security from the WordPress Codex
• WordPress & Accessibility
• Embeds - Simple method for embedding videos, media, polls. Uses oEmbed. List of sources that work within WP.
• Digging into WordPress - A PDF file with over 400 pages chock full of  WordPress goodness. One of my favorite WordPress "books". Buy it once and get lifetime updates! How cool is that. (affiliate link) Free sample chapter is available for download. 
  
• Setup Your Blog with WordPress: The Ultimate Guide - Free ebook from MakeUseOf. It's not really the "ultimate" guide, but it's a good overview of all the major things you'll need to know. And it's a quick read. 
• WordPress Cheat Sheets from wptuts+ 
• WordPress and Librarians Facebook group - Wonderful place to get help and share ideas. 
• WordPress Resources - a nice list from Val Forrestal. Put together for a September 2014 conference. 
  

WordPress Tutorials and Online Courses

• WPBeginner - Currently has 23 videos that step you through the basics of set up and manage a WordPress site. Seem to be kept up to date as WP versions change. (Free)
• WordPress 101 - Good series of video tutorials from iThemes.  (Free)  
• WordPress TV - 100's of videos. Some are how-to's, some are presentations from WordCamps around the world. Not organized by topic, but use the category links to find things of interest. (FREE) 
• WP 101 Video Library - Videos in sequences called WordPress 101 and WordPress 201. Some are free, others are subscription only. (Free & $$) 
• WordPress Lessons - part of the WordPress.org Codex (Free) 
• HTML Writers Guild - fee based asynchronous courses ($)
• Lynda.com  - fee based asynchronous courses ($)
• ed2go -  fee based asynchronous courses ($)

• SeeHowTwo Wordpress tutorials - Quick screencasts with WordPress tips. Mix of new and old videos, some may show outdated admin features. (Free)  
• Intro to WordPress videos from Bluehost - 7 short videos covering the basics, including how to install WordPress.  These were great videos, but are now a couple years old, admin interface has changed,   

Articles, blog posts, etc.  

• Why WordPress? Wondering whether to use WordPress or not? This great overview will answer lots of your questions.

• Wordpress for Library Websites  -- discussion of using WP for library websites, lots of comments, examples, ideas.

• WordPress Publisher Blog -  "highlights plugins that extend WordPress functionality, and we’ll showcase interesting sites being built with WordPress."

• Lorelle on WordPress - great blog with tips, tricks and news about WordPress.

• Don't Let Hackers Crash Your Blogging Party - Great security tips.

• How to Protect Your WordPress Site Before the Hackers Lock You Out!

HOSTING  

• PreFab – This new service will build and host your library site for a fee. Run by librarians with lots of experience designing websites.  (http://weareinflux.com/prefab)
• LISHost - popular with library bloggers and libraries, highly recommended.
• WordPress - recommended hosting services
• WPSites offers a free setup help when hosting with Bluehost 
• Free hosting for non-profits
• DreamHost  (for 501(c)(3) organizations) 

THEMES

Places to find new themes for your site.

• 120 Free WordPress Themes from Premium Theme Developers - Great list of free themes offered by some of the major theme developers. Great opportunity to test out the work of a premium developer before buying a theme. And you might just find a great theme for free! 
• WordPress.org  
• 100 Free High Quality Themes - Smashing Magazine often features articles listing good themes.
• Woo Themes
• Elegant Themes
• Studio Press
• Mojo Themes

Theme tools & tips

• What WordPress Theme is That?  - Detects what theme (child & parent themes too) and plugins are in use on a particular site. May not give complete list of plugins. 

Creating & Editing Themes

• Anatomy of a WordPress Theme - infographic explaining how themes work.
• WordPress TwentyTen CSS Cheat Sheet - Identifies the major elements of WordPress page.
• Create Your Own Template 
• WordPress Developer’s Toolbox
• How To edit WordPress Themes in Dreamweaver
• Editing A WordPress Theme in Dreamweaver

PLUGINS

• Nicole Engard's selection of plugins
• Recommended WordPress plugins - from Stephanie Leary