A new look for LibrariesWest online

Following a period of extensive development and testing, we will soon be launching the new LibrariesWest web site.

Why are we doing this?
Our web presence is becoming an increasingly important part of our overall offer as library services. For example, more than half of all reservations are now placed by customers online, and the number of people using our site to renew their loans has increased steadily over the last few years. The current LibrariesWest site, although functional, is quite restrictive in terms of allowing us to develop new online services, and so we have developed a new site.

We have listened to what you have been telling us over the last couple of years, and your valuable continuing feedback has helped us to develop a brand new site that we hope you will like.

What will change?
When we launch the new site, you will immediately notice a number of changes:

• A more user-friendly, contemporary look that provides us with a platform to develop a range of new and exciting online services for the future.
• Greatly improved catalogue search functionality, which is more intuitive and flexible.
• Borrow eBooks for free.
• Interact with us in new ways - follow us on Twitter or subscribe to the LibrariesWest blog or RSS feeds.
• Keep up to date with the latest news and promotions from across the LibrariesWest region.
• New improved library finder.

In the weeks and months following the launch of the new site, we will introduce more new features, including:

• Go mobile – get the free LibrariesWest app for iPhone or Android and renew your loans, search the catalogue and place reservations on the go.
• Library event finder – find out what’s going on across the consortium.
• Find us on Facebook.

However, this is just the beginning and we will continue to improve and develop our online presence in response to customer feedback.