Chicago Public Library »
The Chicago Public Library is a non-profit organization that has been providing the public a place to gather, read, learn, and discover since 1873. The seventy-nine locations throughout Chicago began with a single branch in an abandoned iron water tank following the Great Chicago Fire, and the library has more than doubled in growth since 1995, with fifty-four branches being renovated, replaced, or built.
Problem
Since the previous incarnation of the Chicago Public Library web site launched many new technologies have come to fruition: blogs, downloadable content, syndication, better site search, podcasts, and more. One problem with the CPL's old web site was that while the library was already beginning to offer new forms of content, there was no way to bring it all together into a cohesive whole. Most content was being updated manually rather than utilizing databases and generating pages dynamically. There was no site search, and searching the catalog provided only limited results.
Solutions
- The new website will serve the Chicago Public Library well into the 21st century and has been rebuilt to include over thirteen other systems and applications. Gone is the black and white color scheme. In its place emerges a vibrant, active, and attractive site providing the information patrons need when they need it.
- Duo implemented a new content management system, Serena Collage which enables library staff to swiftly add new content to the site. Duo also imported thousands of pages of content from the previous version of the CPL website so that all of the library's vital information was available at launch. At its heart, the Chicago Public Library website is a mash-up. It collates content from numerous databases, web services, magazine, newspaper, academic journal, and article databases and content added by the CPL librarians. The result is a cohesive experience, making the source of the disparate pieces of content completely opaque to library patrons who simply want access to the information they need.
- Patrons will be able to search the online catalog from the comfort of their own homes. The new CPL catalog search allows for browsing and searching. My CPL will allow patrons to place an item on hold at any library branch, track borrowed books, and renew items without having to return to a branch. They can also browse the catalog to find items related to a search, or drill-down via search refinements to find other books, videos, DVDs, audio CDs, or even electronic content that meet their criteria.
- Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, podcasts, RSS feeds, and downloadable audio books was also added to the site which position the Chicago Public Library to be the city's one-one-stop source of information both off and online.
- The new event search database allows patrons to browse or search for events in their area or at any library branch throughout the city though a zip code. They can also add the event to their personal calendar in Outlook, iCal, Google Calendar, or other program with the click of a button.
- The new website also offers suggested books to read, films to watch, or new music. Reader's Advisory lists provide many lists based on bestsellers, popular themes or prize-winners. Some of these include New York Times Bestsellers list, Oprah's booklsit and Pulitzer Prize list.
Results
The new website presents a rich user experience and interaction with the Chicago Public Library offerings. It offers increased usability and accessibility for Section 508 compliance. It allows for multiple ways to browse and/or search for the rich library content through new search functionality. Duo also created functionality that would be added to the library search kiosks making searching for books and other content faster and easier. An event search was also added to the website that allows patrons to find events not only at their local branch but throughout the city.
The website is a winner of the 2008 Web Marketing Association Standard of Excellence WebAward in the Government category.
