Ilsley Public Library Rolls Out New Website and Catalog
On June 1st Ilsley Public Library is going live with a redesigned website and catalog. The new website, designed by Terrier Tenacity LLC with extensive input from library staff, is significantly more user friendly than the previous website. It features improved navigation and search functions and was specifically designed to be tablet and mobile friendly. This means that users can find what they’re looking for quickly and easily, no matter what device they use to access the library’s website.
“We learned a lot during the pandemic, and one of the most important lessons was how much community members rely on the library’s website to access our resources and services,” says library director Dana Hart. “Our new website integrates feedback from the community about what they look for when they visit our site. We encourage continued feedback as community member use the new website, so we can keep making improvements.”
One of the biggest improvements is to the catalog. Before, patrons had to search for physical and digital materials in separate systems. Now, patrons can search all library resources in one place. Books in the physical collection, digital ebooks and audiobooks, and even streaming films from Kanopy are all integrated into the catalog. This tremendous improvement in functionality will save community members time and connect people with the resources they’re looking for quickly and easily. The new catalog offers improved digital browsing, too, for patrons who don’t know what to read next.
“One of the things patrons like most about the library is the opportunity to browse our collections, to see recommended reading lists, and discover new books that have been added recently,” says Adult Services and Technology Librarian Chris Kirby. “Our new catalog allows us to do this digitally, highlighting new materials and featured collections on the catalog homepage. Patrons also have tools to create lists of their own, keep track of books they want to read, and to share their recommendations with friends.”
The new site and catalog are intuitive and easy to use, so the transition should be a smooth one. Patrons needing assistance navigating the new site or catalog should reach out to library staff for assistance. “Providing stellar customer service is a priority at Ilsley, and the new website and catalog are a big step towards fulfilling that goal,” notes Hart. “We look forward to sharing the new site on June 1st.”