Greenwich Library Debuts Website Redesign

From Greenwich Library:

Greenwich Library debuted a completely redesigned website. The updated site is the result of nearly two years of analysis and design, representing collaboration among staff, trustees and friends. Improved user experience and easier navigation were the primary concerns of the redesign.

Another important goal of the new site is to provide visitors with a virtual experience that is as compelling as a visit to the actual library. Large, beautiful images and consistent colors and fonts are used throughout the site.

This new online experience showcases the library’s diverse range of collections, services and events. The homepage offers a variety of easily accessible content including booklists, upcoming events and blog posts, all designed to help patrons discover Library resources.

The new site is responsive and adapts to any screen size, from smart phones to tablets, from laptop to desktop. Regardless of what device patrons use, they will enjoy similar experiences in accessing the library’s information.

The last comprehensive redesign of the library’s website took place in 2010. As the library added services, including a more robust online catalog, multiple digital collections, databases and additional content, the site became unwieldy and difficult to use. Since the last redesign, web visits have increased almost 100 percent from 1,300,220 visits in fiscal year 2009-2010 to 2,580,409 visits in fiscal year 2014-2015.

“With more patrons relying on the Library’s website for information and collection access, a redesign became a top priority in the Library’s most recent strategic plan,” said Haley Rockwell Elmlinger, president of Greenwich Library Board of Trustees.

The new site is built on a flexible WordPress content management system allowing library staff to quickly add content and make adjustments to the site. Content has been condensed and arranged more logically. The look of the new site is attractive and uncluttered, utilizing slideshows, accordion menus and blogs.

The library’s web team conducted usability tests throughout the redesign process. Even so, the site is built on a flexible platform so that needed improvements can be made.

“We know that adjusting to the new site will take time, but we’re confident that the transition will be easy as the new site reflects the best practices and structure commonly found on the most popular websites in use today,” said Barbara Ormerod-Glynn, Greenwich Library director. “We’re excited because the new site makes it so much easier for patrons to navigate and discover Library resources.”

Patrons will have an opportunity to meet the new website in one of five demo sessions led by library staff. Sessions will take place in the Technology Training Center at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 25; 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 27; 4 p.m. on Friday, April 29; 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 3 and 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 5.

The content management system and website were designed by Verbal + Visual, a New York City-based digital agency. The project was funded by the Greenwich Library Board of Trustees. The staff committee leading this effort included Kate Petrov, public relations officer; Joseph A. Williams, deputy director; William Gray, web specialist; Michele Martin, reference services librarian; Eric McCarthy, manager of resources management; Everett Perdue, library technical assistant; Jasmine Posey, training librarian; Stephen Schmidt, resources management librarian; Siobhan Schugmann, library technical assistant; Lily Stevenson, library technical assistant; Deirdre Sullivan, children’s librarian; Catherine C. Tynes, senior network analyst and John S. Yoke Jr., technical program administrator.

Questions and feedback about the new website may be shared with trainingcenter@greenwichlibrary.org.

The Greenwich Library system consists of the main library and its Byram Shubert and Cos Cob branches. The mission of Greenwich Library is to provide exceptional resources, programs and services that promote the joy of lifelong learning and discovery and to offer a welcoming place for people to gather and share experiences. With 1,400 programs and events per year, the library seeks to serve as the cultural and intellectual crossroads of the community. Greenwich Library has a total circulation of about 1.5 million, the highest reported in Connecticut. Greenwich Library was recently named a five-star library by Library Journal for the seventh time. The main library is located at 101 West Putnam Ave. Further information is available through the Greenwich Library website.