Library Web Site Offers Expanded Resources

Library Web site offers expanded resources

Revamped site is up and running, with new features still being added

BY JO COLLINS MATHIS

News Staff Reporter

Patrons of the Ann Arbor District Library can tap into even more services from home now that the library’s redesigned Web site is up and running.

There is now a listing of all new materials on the shelves. The library just added 210 new DVDs to its collection, and those titles have been listed on the site.

And soon patrons will be able to log onto the Web site to see a listing of activities that day at the main library and the branches. Previously, the only listing available was a quarterly one of youth programs.

The redesigned Web site was added with no fanfare in early January, and new features continue to be added. The staff has received about

100 e-mails from patrons applauding the new Web site, said Eli Neiburger, information technology team manager at the library.

Sometimes they have suggestions for ways to improve it, which is exactly what staff is hoping for.

“We’re hoping to get continuous feedback from the patrons on what they’d like to see done differently or better to make the Web site more helpful for what they’re looking for,” said Neiburger.

Patrons can now place a request for items that are on order, so that if a hot new book is just announced, they can quickly request it - even if it won’t be published for months. Previously, they had to call the library to get on such a list.

Also new is a feature that while browsing the catalog, you can now see the covers of the books and in many cases read excerpts, a table of contents and reviews.

Patrons were already able to request and renew materials online. Now, they’re able to see when the books they’re waiting for are due back at the library.

Neiburger’s favorite new feature is the top 10 lists, which show on a daily basis the most requested items at the library.

“It’s an interesting way of seeing what Ann Arbor is reading on a daily basis,” he said. “It’s very cool to watch that change every day.”

The Web site address remains the same: www.aadl.org.

Jo Collins Mathis can be reached at jmathis@annarbornews.com or (734)994-6849.