Hennepin County Library Launches Redesigned Website

Via an October 10 Press Release:

New technology and changing patron needs drove the recent overhaul of the Hennepin County Library website, www.hclib.org.

The upgrade is part of a broader effort by Hennepin County to make sure county websites are accessible and easy to use. The library’s previous website was built in 2005.

“It was time to redesign our website, to respond to the ways patrons are using Hennepin County Library online now,” said Lois Langer Thompson, director of the Hennepin County Library system.

The library’s new website uses responsive design to be mobile friendly. The site also incorporates new, easier ways to search library materials and resources, and it offers improved search results.

Its cutting-edge catalog under “Books, Music, Movies” has additional features for patrons such as “You May Also Like” suggestions.

In “My Account,” patrons can choose to log in with a username and password instead of a 14-digit account number and PIN. They also can opt in to share their library accounts with others. Website visitors who do not have a library card can create a guest account to make lists, write reviews and more.

“I have really enjoyed using the new website to do my own library business, and I think our patrons are going to like it, too,” Thompson said. “I am proud of what we have accomplished with the site, and I look forward to continuing to improve it.”

The redesigned website was built on a solid foundation of research and user testing. Like the previous site, the new www.hclib.org offers access to valuable library resources and services, but shares them in different ways.

Patrons will find book lists and new materials for all ages under “Browse,” along with nearly 200 online resources that can be sorted by category, for example “Health and wellness” and “Genealogy and local history.”

Online resources are also highlighted with upcoming events and other primary library services such as “Homework help” and “Early learning” under “Programs and Services.”

For detailed event information, patrons can browse or search the new “Events Calendar.”

The library welcomes feedback on its new website design. People can share their thoughts using the “Give us feedback or report a bug link” in the red banner at the top of every page, starting at www.hclib.org.

Look for more news on the Hennepin County Library website: www.hclib.org/about/news