The website for Great River Regional Library (GRRL) has been updated and improved as a result of a rebuild that was six months in planning and implementation.
“We wanted it to be more appealing, be easier to use and have more information available,” said Joan Allen, the library's Information Services Coordinator. The layout has been simplified, and the new website includes news and features about the library in a more streamlined format.
Each of the 32 GRRL branch libraries now has its own web page featuring local news and events. "We want to make the information that's relevant to a local community easier to find. It will make using the website easier for people who come to our library virtually," Allen said. "We had a website that was functional, and we've kept that functionality. But we also wanted a website that was vibrant, with an updated look that showed libraries are alive and well in the 21st Century, and we have that now."
The central part of the newly designed home page includes regularly updated graphics and news. The most used parts of the website have been organized within links:
Library Catalog is the place most visitors want to go. This is where you find books, magazines, DVDs and CDs to check out. It’s also where you check your own library record to know what materials you have checked out, what's due to be returned, and what is waiting for you at the library. Just enter your library card number and personal identification number to make requests.
Locations & Hours provides the address, contact number and open hours information about all 32 libraries in the GRRL system and in your neighborhood.
Events are taking place at area libraries on a frequent basis: storytimes, book clubs, speakers, etc. This link tells you what’s going on at the various branch libraries.
Databases are storehouses of online articles and information organized for your convenience. GRRL subscribes to many databases such as Health Reference Center Academic and InfoTrac Student Edition so you can access them from home or at the library. Particularly popular is MNLINK which lets cardholders search the catalogs of libraries across Minnesota and request items otherwise unavailable within GRRL.
Services provides a complete listing of all the services that the GRRL currently provides.
FAQ answers all of the main questions. But if there’s something else you want to know, call your local library or GRRL headquarters at 320-650-2500.
Ask a Librarian You can contact a librarian for reference assistance by phone, by email or by instant messenger. Have a real-time online discussion with the reference librarian answering your question.