Site for sore eyes

Gibson Memorial Library unveiled their new website during the monthly board of trustees meeting Monday night at the library.

The new website was designed to be mobile-friendly and more interactive than the current design. There is an event calendar on the front page that allows for patrons to easily browse the upcoming events at Gibson Memorial Library, something library director David Hargrove said had been requested by the community.

“In standpoints of mobile viewing and prominence of events, two big criticisms we had on the old website, this is much better,” said Hargrove. “And from my standpoint, as an administrator, it’s much easier to update.”

Hargrove said the website is essentially ready to go live but the board intends to take some time to test the site more before replacing the current one. The replacement date is currently not set but Hargrove said it could be as soon as within the next week.

“In terms of what this website absolutely has to do for us, it’s ready to go,” said Hargrove. “We will take a hard look at some of the things that are on our current website and see what else is needed.”

The new website will provide the same access to BRIDGES and other library resources currently accessible through the current website.

In other library board news, the board:

• discussed the library’s long-term plan. Although a plan is not required to maintain accreditation this year, Hargrove said the library wants to have a firm idea of goals regardless.

• discussed the potential to hold another bond vote during a future election year. The board agreed to not pursue the bond issue this year as to avoid conflict with the parks and recreation board’s McKinley Lake Project, which is intended to be on the ballot again this fall.

• submitted the library budget to the city for approval and will be discussed during a finance committee meeting this week. The budget must be certified by March 31.