Harris County Public Library Launches a New, Enhanced Website to Encourage New Library Users
Houston, TX, August 24, 2019 --(PR.com)-- Harris County Public Library (HCPL) has launched a new website for current library users, as well as Harris County residents who might be less familiar with the wide range of materials and services the library offers. The new website was designed and developed to heighten the library’s online presence and to give patrons easier access to essential information and features with a friendlier user experience for patrons of all reading and technological levels.
The new site offers a new powerful, comprehensive search tool that allows users to find items in Harris County Public Library’s catalog, library events, research resources and website content with a single click. The new visual book river showcases book covers and encourages visitors to explore HCPL’s growing digital media collection of ebooks, audiobooks, streaming video and digital magazines, as well as traditional print materials. The new website’s optimized events module allows patrons to more easily view, and register for, events at their local HCPL branch library.
The new website has a colorful and clean design with improved functionality that is mobile responsive to better serve the ever-increasing number of patrons who want to access library services on the go via smartphone or tablet.
HCPL sees the user-friendliness of the new website as a big step in its mission to provide Harris County residents information and resources that enrich their lives and strengthen their communities. “We really took the time and listened to feedback from our patrons to develop this site with their needs in mind. The bottom line is that our patrons wanted a modern website that made it easier to find what they are looking for,” said Chris Martinez, Information Technology Division Director. “The new hcpl.net will better serve our patrons through a friendly interface that will also give website visitors a better peek at the great variety of materials available and all the wonderful activities happening at our libraries.”
To better serve patrons of all reading levels, the website makes use of icons and images as visual road signs. Likewise, In order to offer better navigation, the new website simplified the main menu and homepage that highlights the information and services for which they search most:
Search:
The new comprehensive search tool allows visitors to search the library catalog, library programs, website content, and services with a single search query. The results are displayed in clear, color-coded fields on a single page that, like the website as a whole, is designed to be mobile friendly.
Explore:
Visitors to the new site will be able to discover new items in the library catalog with the Explore feature. The Explore section displays the library collection in book rivers that put the book covers in the forefront for a Netflix-style browsing experience. The book rivers can also be filtered by format, genre, and feature specially curated lists by Harris County Public Librarians.
Services:
The new Services section of the website allows users to easily learn about the wide range of services available at Harris County Public Library branches. The Services section includes the nuts and bolts information regarding library cards, using the library and policies gathered in one area for users. In addition to being gathered in one area, the services section offers a comprehensive FAQ section for each service.
My Account:
The revamped My Account feature features an “At a Glance” view for patrons logging into their library account. The new display shows patrons their event registrations in addition to a list of items checked out and their due dates, patron hold requests and library fine information.
Events:
Finding events at your local library will be significantly easier on the new website. The new events module allows patrons to see events at multiple libraries based on a variety of filters, such as interests or age group. The events page will also feature immediate online registration for events and that event registration information is accessible via the My Account tool.
HCPL’s new website will launch August 29th. Visitors are encouraged to explore the website and discover new pathways to knowledge at www.hcpl.net
The new site offers a new powerful, comprehensive search tool that allows users to find items in Harris County Public Library’s catalog, library events, research resources and website content with a single click. The new visual book river showcases book covers and encourages visitors to explore HCPL’s growing digital media collection of ebooks, audiobooks, streaming video and digital magazines, as well as traditional print materials. The new website’s optimized events module allows patrons to more easily view, and register for, events at their local HCPL branch library.
The new website has a colorful and clean design with improved functionality that is mobile responsive to better serve the ever-increasing number of patrons who want to access library services on the go via smartphone or tablet.
HCPL sees the user-friendliness of the new website as a big step in its mission to provide Harris County residents information and resources that enrich their lives and strengthen their communities. “We really took the time and listened to feedback from our patrons to develop this site with their needs in mind. The bottom line is that our patrons wanted a modern website that made it easier to find what they are looking for,” said Chris Martinez, Information Technology Division Director. “The new hcpl.net will better serve our patrons through a friendly interface that will also give website visitors a better peek at the great variety of materials available and all the wonderful activities happening at our libraries.”
To better serve patrons of all reading levels, the website makes use of icons and images as visual road signs. Likewise, In order to offer better navigation, the new website simplified the main menu and homepage that highlights the information and services for which they search most:
Search:
The new comprehensive search tool allows visitors to search the library catalog, library programs, website content, and services with a single search query. The results are displayed in clear, color-coded fields on a single page that, like the website as a whole, is designed to be mobile friendly.
Explore:
Visitors to the new site will be able to discover new items in the library catalog with the Explore feature. The Explore section displays the library collection in book rivers that put the book covers in the forefront for a Netflix-style browsing experience. The book rivers can also be filtered by format, genre, and feature specially curated lists by Harris County Public Librarians.
Services:
The new Services section of the website allows users to easily learn about the wide range of services available at Harris County Public Library branches. The Services section includes the nuts and bolts information regarding library cards, using the library and policies gathered in one area for users. In addition to being gathered in one area, the services section offers a comprehensive FAQ section for each service.
My Account:
The revamped My Account feature features an “At a Glance” view for patrons logging into their library account. The new display shows patrons their event registrations in addition to a list of items checked out and their due dates, patron hold requests and library fine information.
Events:
Finding events at your local library will be significantly easier on the new website. The new events module allows patrons to see events at multiple libraries based on a variety of filters, such as interests or age group. The events page will also feature immediate online registration for events and that event registration information is accessible via the My Account tool.
HCPL’s new website will launch August 29th. Visitors are encouraged to explore the website and discover new pathways to knowledge at www.hcpl.net
Contact
Harris County Public Library
Nancy Hu
713-274-6983
www.hcpl.net
Nancy Hu
713-274-6983
www.hcpl.net
Contact
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