New Website Going Live on Wednesday, July 29, 2020

I am excited to announce that we will go live with the new website on Wednesday, July 29, 2020.  We have been working so hard on the new website for a while now and I can't wait for everyone to see it.  Our goal with the new website was to make it easier for patrons to find what they need while being visually inviting and I think that we knocked it out of the park!

The site:

Ø  is reactive, which means it will change its size to fit the screen it is being displayed on. 

Ø  showcases a modern website design. 

Ø  is cloud-based on Communico so it will be available if the Cumming/Headquarters location loses power or internet access.

Ø  can be updated on any device that has internet access.

Ø  pulls in content from different platforms (room reservations, programs) in Communico which enables us to make changes and have it populate throughout the site and other platforms. 

Ø  brings book recommendations to almost every page. 

Ø  offers portals for Adult, Teen and Kids which will showcase all programs, book recommendations, and electronic materials for that age group all on one page.

Ø  pulls in all information regarding a location (hours, directions, programs, staff, and room reservations) on to the dynamic locations pages. 

Ø  also contains new content such as the Forsyth Remembers and Outreach Services pages. 

Ø  does not currently include links for patrons to place reservations for meeting, conference, or study rooms; these links will be added when the rooms become available for this purpose.

What can you do?  Review the website and let me know (barfieldh@forsythpl.org or 9383) if you see something that you feel needs to be changed or if the site is missing anything.  While I cannot promise we can make all change, I can promise that all concerns will be reviewed.  Please have your comments to me no later than Tuesday, July 28 by 10:00 a.m. 

https://forsyth.libnet.info/training/home

The link above is a url for the site while we are developing it.  Once we go live, we will change the url to be www.forsythpl.org.

What can staff  and patrons expect to happen on Wednesday, July 29, 2020?  There are several steps that have to happen behind the scenes for this cut over.  We expect the final cut over which will change the site to happen around 10:00 a.m.  However, while everything is populating with the public Domain Name Servers, there is a chance that patrons may be directed to the old site for up to 72 hours after the cut over.  This is OK, we will leave the old site up for several days while we ensure everything has been updated to point to the new site.  On Wednesday, staff can expect to receive several emails that will communicate our progress with this change.  Of course, if you have any issues, concerns or questions,  you can submit a Track-It ticket.  

While there have been several staff members who assisted with the new website, I would like to give a BIG THANKS to Jinhee who has spent so much time developing the new website.  With her guidance and input not to mention excellent coding skills, the site is modern and visually stunning as well as patron friendly.  

Also, a BIG THANKS to Gabi who has spent a lot of time checking links, updating book rivers, resizing images and a host of other tasks that go into a new website.  

Please check out the new website and let me know what you think!