April 18, 2024

Library set to launch new website Friday

By KELSEY HAUGEN

Pictured is a screenshot of Washington Public Library's website, which is one of several Iowa libraries that uses a Public Libraries on the Web (PLOW) website sponsored by Iowa Library Services. Gibson Memorial Library will launch its new PLOW site Friday, and it will look somewhat similar to Washington's library page. PLOW offers a variety of templates to choose from, and some include scrolling photos on the home page, like the page pictured.

Gibson Memorial Library is set to have its new website up and running Friday.

The Creston library first started out with a government URL (.us), and then switched to a commercial website (.com).

Now, it’s switching back to a government-owned URL. Gibson has chosen to work with Iowa Library Services to build its new site using a Public Libraries on the Web (PLOW) template for a few reasons: it’s free, the library staff will be able to update the website and it will look cleaner in design.

“It will have a little different, newer look,” said David Hargrove, Gibson Memorial Library director. “The important thing is my assistant director Sue Teutsch and I will be able to manage the content ourselves – things like the events calendar, library hours, contact information and the history of the library.”

Nearly two years ago, the library board chose to purchase a commercial website. But it cost the library to keep it running, and there were also fees anytime library staff wanted to make changes to the website.

“It was troublesome to me when I initially took this job that I would have to go through an intermediate party to manage our digital identity,” Hargrove said. “That is why I pushed for a PLOW website. Iowa Library Services not only hosts it for free, but they train our staff how to use it. Sue and I will be able to manage the (website) firsthand.”

As there are currently two Gibson websites in existence, Hargrove said the library will continue to own the old .com domain name, and anyone who attempts to visit the old site will be redirected to the new page: www.creston.lib.ia.us.

Hargrove and Teutsch will attend a PLOW class Friday, taught by Marie Harms of Iowa Library Services, to learn how to use the new website. After the class Friday, Hargove said the site should be up and running for the public.

“We will be able to manage the website ourselves, make changes, add things to it and put upcoming events on it,” Teutsch said.

PLOW websites are used by several Iowa libraries, including Washington Public Library and Winterset Public Library. The Creston library's site will look somewhat similar; there are different templates for PLOW websites that Hargrove chose from.

While cost and management are administrative benefits of the new website, Hargrove said there will be changes the public can enjoy as well. One is that it will be updated more frequently, which will help the public stay informed about events. Additionally, Hargrove wants to add more information to the home page about the history of the library.

“I am, by training, a historian, so when I started here, I was a little disappointed that the history of the library wasn’t very comprehensive,” Hargrove said. “Because we have a lot of those resources upstairs in our archives, it was interesting to me to do research and write a little about it. I’ll be able to post that on the website.”

As Hargrove and Teutsch begin to master the management side of the new website, the No. 1 thing the public can look forward to is improved content, Hargrove said.

“In my opinion, our website is a significantly underutilized asset, but in this day and age, a library’s web presence and the other digital resources we offer are a very significant component of our public services,” Hargrove said. “Going forward, I think developing our digital presence is a big part of how we represent our library to the public.”