TPL Gets a New Website - Soon!

Over the last several months, the Library's Technology Department has been working away at a lofty but much-needed goal: Create a new website for the Troy Public Library.

But not just a new website -- a cleaner, more usable website. Our goal is to finally move to Web 2.0 with a dynamic site that promotes patron involvement and interaction.

The meetings, training, and research are finally starting to pay off. I am proud to say our new website is really starting to come together. We've decided to use Drupal, an open source content management software that allows us to create the best possible library website for our patrons. Though we are still adding content and working out the finer details of the theme (the look and feel of the site) we know it will feature the following applications:

• Patron interaction through comments -- You have thoughts, feelings and opinions, and we want you to voice them!
  
• Regularly updated content -- The major difference between our old "static" website and our new "dynamic" website will be the regular content updates. In the "old days," all website updates were sent to one staff member who acted as our "webmaster". Now all the staff will have the ability to easily add content -- be it promoting a new program, featuring a new database, or sharing pictures from a recent event.
  
• Easier searching - more convenient ways to search both our site and our catalog.
  

These are just some of the basics. We are also exploring several other new Web 2.0 technologies. For instance would our patrons use Virtual Reference Chat? Virtual Reference Chat would let you ask questions via instant messaging to a reference staff member. This would be done using software right on our home page,

Our website will continue grow to include new features over time. With the help of Cherry Hill consulting and our diligent Technology Department, we hope to have the new site up and running in the coming months.

Have thoughts or suggestions for the new website? Leave us a comment!