Solano LIBRARY'S NEW WEB SITE A "VIRTUAL" BRANCH

LIBRARY'S NEW WEB SITE A "VIRTUAL" BRANCH 1/19/2007

SOLANO COUNTY LIBRARY
HEADQUARTERS
1150 Kentucky Street
Fairfield, CA 94533

January 10, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Ann Miller (707) 421-6517, FAX (707) 421-7474, E-MAIL amiller@snap.lib.ca.us

Library Launches “Virtual Branch” With New Web Site
Solano County Library launched its new Web site yesterday, allowing customers to use the library “virtually.” The site showcases a number of new ways to deliver personal service as well as provide support for library “do-it-yourselfers.”
A new “Ask Us” feature offers answers by e-mail or phone. There is also an option to make an appointment with a librarian for those seeking in-depth research help. “Offering the options of connecting folks to local librarians with the toll free number and e-mail gives them the ability to ask a question when the information is needed no matter where they are. It’s a service of convenience,” said Suzanne Olawski, supervising librarian for training and virtual services. The library will continue to provide its after hours “chat” assistance. “Our 24/7 connection to a nationwide librarian network has been popular ever since we launched the service five years ago,” said Olawski.
Making an appointment with a librarian is an ideal way to get help that is more extensive than the five to fifteen minutes that is routine for most library questions. “Librarians are trained to be information detectives and they can be relentless when they are doing research. The harder the question the happier they are, they enjoy the challenge. Making an appointment with a librarian is a new service and a way for customers to have someone help them dig deeper for the information they need, for free. That’s just one of the reasons taxpayers support libraries – to help people get the information they need,” said Olawski.
Just as online connections help librarians give answers “on the spot,” the new site helps them recommend books and get feedback on what the library should buy. Recommendations are based on categories –choices include mysteries, romances, bestsellers, book club, classics, science fiction, new fiction and nonfiction, home and garden, audio books, Christian fiction, books for children, and books for teens. Every month customers get an e-mail with recommendations and a link to immediately place their order for their free books. The Web site also includes a “request for purchase” link so that customers can request an item that is not yet on library shelves.
The online calendar is controlled by the customer too. It is easy to choose from the hundreds of events occurring each month in Fairfield, Rio Vista, Suisun City, Vacaville, and Vallejo libraries. Customers can sort events by age, location and interest – be it book discussions, legal advice, computer training or adult literacy events.
New tools expedite the process of finding articles in the 20 databases to which the library subscribes. Users can choose a specific database, like the genealogy tool HeritageQuest, or a group of databases surrounding a particular subject, such as homework help. For example, the homework help group of databases includes “Opposing Viewpoints” a collection of articles for those looking for "pro" and "con" arguments on controversial social issues and “LearningExpressLibrary,” a database of practice tests that covers everything from middle school skills to real estate licensing. A “federated search” of all 20 databases is an option for those who are not sure which database will be the best match for their needs.
For teens, the new Web site has a page designed especially for them. On the teen page young adult customers can blog, connect to free online tutors, and learn about teen health, driving tips and Internet safety.
“We still love to see our customers in person at the library, but we know how busy they are. With 80% of the adult population with a cell phone and 68% online, this was a logical way for us to deliver help in a convenient way for our customers,” said Olawski.

(SIDEBAR ?) New Web Site Features:
• Make an appointment with a librarian
• E-mail a question
• Teen blog
• E-mailed book recommendations
• Request a purchase
• Online calendar of events that can be sorted by age, location and interest
• “Federated” database search – search all databases at once or by category
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