The Kansas City, Kan., Public Library recently launched a redesigned and updated eCommunity website, focused on improving the user experience.
The eCommunity, available at ecommunity.kckpl.org, serves as an entertainment and information portal to apps and databases that allow users to read, watch, listen and research from any location on a multitude of digital devices.
The eCommunity website was first launched in 2014 along with the library’s eCard program. The eCard, which allows a user to sign up without setting foot in a library building, gives access to all of the library’s online content offerings (eResources). The eCommunity offered a one-stop ability to sign up for the eCard and access these eResources. KCKPL professional staff has used information gathered over the two years the site has been in existence to redesign it in a way that reflects the needs and interests of the user community.
The updated site includes a number of new features. A few of the highlighted new features:
• The scrolling image menu on the landing page, updated monthly, provides timely information about resources within the collection.
• KCKPL’s eResources include several apps and databases for which staff wanted to improve navigation assistance. The site includes new user guides to explain what these eResources provide and how to access them.
• For users familiar with the eResources, direct links are provided on the landing page. For newer or browsing users, the “I want to…” option allows them to easily find which eResource will fulfill their particular need
• The KCKPL Yearbook Project, a continually growing digital collection of Kansas City, Kansas school yearbooks dating back to the 1910s, is now more easily searchable and includes cover images in the database listing.
The eCard and eCommunity eResources are available to any individual residing in the greater Kansas City metro area. To view the redesigned website and sign up, simply visit ecommunity.kckpl.org. Current KCKPL eCard and library card holders will not need to sign up again.
– Story from Kim Woolery, Kansas City, Kan., Public Library