New additions and some welcome returns to eMagazines

We have recently added a whole new swag of eMagazines to our account with Zinio. In the list below you can find such gems as Australian Home Beautiful, New Scientist and Country Life. All eMagazines can be downloaded and kept indefinitely on your iPad, tablet or PC for your viewing and reading pleasure. There are now over 250 titles in the collection all of which you can access for free from home.

You will need to register with Zinio to download the eMagazines - the following help pages explain how to do this. Zinio User Guide.

(inside) interior design review
Architecture Australia
Artichoke
Australian Home Beautiful
Australian Ironman Magazine
Australian Mountain Bike
Australian Natural Health Magazine
Australian Shape
Australian Sky & Telescope
Australian Yoga Journal
Better Homes and Gardens Australia
Blitz Martial Arts Magazine
Bride to Be Australia
Cosmopolitan
Country Homes & Interiors
Country Life
Cyclist Australia
Desktop - The Culture of Design
Fight Magazine - Australia
Girlfriend Australia
Good Housekeeping
Grand Designs Australia
Harper's Bazaar
HELLO! magazine UK
Houses
Inside Out Christmas
Inside Out Renovating & Decorating Guide
Macworld Australia
Marie Claire - UK
Marie Claire Australia
Men's Health Australia
Mollie Makes
Mollie Makes Handmade Wedding
Mollie Makes Home
New Scientist
Official PlayStation Magazine - UK Edition
OUT
Oxygen Magazine Australian Edition
PC & Tech Authority
Practical Parenting Australia
SBS Feast
Simply Knitting
Smith Journal
The Simple Things
The Week
Woman & Home
Woman's Weekly
Women's Health and Fitness Magazine
World Soccer
Your Family Tree
Your Family Tree Presents Discover your ancestor's occupation
Your Family Tree Presents: Get Started in Family History
Your Family Tree presents: Get started in Military family history
Your Garden

Happy eReading, Paul.

Help us build a better website!

Eastern Regional Libraries is embarking on a redesign of the website http://www.erl.vic.gov.au.

The redesign will:

• improve navigation for mobile device users
• integrate social media into the site and
• improve the efficiency of the library site with changes in navigation and weeding of content.

We'd like to hear about your experience navigating the current website. Please fill out this short (13 question) survey and help us build a better website.

Your assistance is appreciated. Begin survey!

Cheers, webgurl

Update: Internet and library website will be available next Thursday

We have just been advised that the planned changeover of Internet Service provider, that would have caused a disruption in our Internet service and website next Thursday, will now be taking place on another day (possibly the following week).

Members will now be able to book the library PCs for Thursday. We will keep everyone updated as soon as we have the new date confirmed.

Cheers, webgurl

We are currently troubleshooting slowness on the website

The IT department are currently troubleshooting slowness on the website. We apologise for any inconvenience and we'll have it back up to speed very soon.

Cheers, Maryanne

ERL website is back up

Well that was quick. I fixed the issue and the website is now available. Apologies for any inconvenience.

Cheers, Maryanne

Eastern Regional Libraries website is currently unavailable

Apologies, our library website is having an unexpected outage. We are currently troubleshooting and should have it back online shortly.

If you wish to use the catalogue please go directly to http://swft.erlc.sirsidynix.net.au

Cheers, Maryanne

Happy 2000th blog post - what's happening with Web Services at ERL

With my 2000th blog post I wanted to share some things we're working on at the moment with the website and catalogue.


360 Search

In the next few weeks we will be offering 360 Search from SerialsSolutions. It is a federated search service, so you may search all of the online resources with the one search query.


New catalogue layout

I'm also working on the settings for a new catalogue layout. I will also be moving the web links section of the website over to the catalogue and building it up to become an information portal.

National Year of Reading

I'll be working on a National Year of Reading page to inform members about what we've got planned this year.

Newsletters

We're working on some new designs for the newsletters using MailChimp.


It's busy!


Cheers, webgurl

Library website now has a new events slideshow

I've just uploaded a new slideshow for the front page of the website to highlight upcoming events. Clicking on Book Now on the images will take you to the events calendar booking form for that event or more information.

I'll be updating this regularly.

Check it out at http://www.erl.vic.gov.au

Cheers, Maryanne

Troubleshooting some slowness issues so I'm temporarily taking Twitter feed off website

While I troubleshooting some slowness issues I will temporarily remove the Twitter feed from the front page of the website. I should have it back soon.

Cheers, Maryanne

Logging into your membership record

These are the things you only find out once you go live with a website. The obscure login link on the far right of the website was actually a login area for editors of the website. We've had some feedback that members were trying to login to their account using that link.

The members area to login to view your account and place holds is on the left, image below.

I've now hidden the editor login link. The home link is up at the top-right of the website.

Cheers, Maryanne

The library has a new website and it's blue for Movember

We're pleased to launch our new website today, it's a big change!

The infrastructure of the site is based on a Content Management System written by staff member David Funnell that we have previously used for our Intranet. David and I have worked together to adapt and develop it for our website. It will mean that several staff members can assist in keeping the content updated.




Quick catalogue search & member login

You'll notice the member's area on the left hand side. You can search for books, CDs, DVDs from there. Also login if you want to place holds and check your account.

What's happening at our libraries - Twitter feed

The What's happening at our libraries articles are now displayed as a feed from our Twitter account. I've also linked our blog to Twitter so whenever I publish a blog post it posts to Twitter and the front page of the website. So you'll always stay up-to-date. While I'm mentioning Twitter, do you have an account and have you followed us yet? @EasternRegional

Flickr photos of our libraries

I've set up Flickr accounts for all of our libraries and we've been uploading photos of libraries and activities. e.g. Yarra Junction Library

You'll find some of these photos featured on the branch pages.

Navigation

I've done a bit of work on the navigation, always trying to make it easy and clear.

Contact forms

I've added one new form for members to advise staff of a change of address.

Actually you can use the website feedback form to let me know what you think. Just click on the Contact link at the top right of the website. I'm tweaking a couple of things but I always want to know any issues you might be having.

Cheers, Maryanne

Eastern Regional Libraries' website goes pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

You may have noticed a slight change to the website. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we've turned our website pink to highlight the fantastic efforts of Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).

Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA) works to ensure that women diagnosed with breast cancer, and their families, receive the very best information, treatment, care and support possible, no matter who they are or where they live.

BCNA supplies free information resources, including the My Journey Kit, which is a comprehensive information resource for women newly diagnosed with early breast cancer and the Hope & Hurdles Pack for women with secondary breast cancer.

Visit www.bcna.org.au or call 1800 500 258 for more information.

Cheers, Maryanne

2009 library website in review

Well I've finally managed to tally up the stats for our website visits this year and it's been a great one. We've had 828871 visitors through the front door of the website, striving for 1 million visitors in 2010.


So let's start the countdown (not including the front page).....

20. 4 Kids Animals
19. Reader's Corner Reviews blog
18. Births, Deaths and Marriages
17. Teen Fashion
16. 4 Kids
15. Family History
14. Reader's Corner
13. 4 Kids Games
12. How to use the catalogue
11. About us
10. Contact Us
9. What's New events blog
8. SiteSearch
7. Teen Online Games
6. Job vacancies
5. Online resources
4. Email & Search
3. Using the library
2. 4 Kids Science

and number 1 is......................... Find a Library

Not really a huge surprise as one of the most common questions we get asked in the branches are the branch hours.

The 4 Kids website was extremely popular, especially 4 Kids Science, thanks to the support of schools around the world, curious young minds and recommendations from people such as Mrs Parrington at Mrs. Parrington Loves Science.

We also had 80840 searches on our Who Writes Like database, which is a very popular resource on the 'net. Who Writes Like is compiled by hand on genres and subgenres and we're always looking for more suggestions, particularly in the Fantasy & Science Fiction area. If you like to help you can contact me through the contact form on our website and let me know what genre you read.

I'm currently working on a new website for the library using a content management system so I can look at expanding the site and looking at new training opportunities for staff and members. We will continue to explore other means of reaching our members and trying to connect you with information or great books. 

Cheers, webgurl

Christmas hours

Eastern Regional Libraries has reduced its hours over the Christmas period.

View the Christmas/New Year hours at all of our branches and mobiles.

I'd like to take the opportunity to thank you for your support through 2009, to those that have subscribed to this blog, followed us on Twitter and constantly provided feedback on the service we provide.

I'm currently working on a new website and I'm looking at expanding the training we offer in our libraries, including Twitter, blogging, from Camera to Computer , how to get the most out of your library & my homage to Apple's "genius bar" (but for general technology).

Wishing you all a Merry and safe Christmas and New Year

Cheers, webgurl

ERL on the web - the 2008 review

As usual at this time of year I start totalling the stats I've compiled throughout the year and reviewing the usage of the library sites. It's been a great year for the library website. Our overall visits to the front page of the website hit half a million for the first time (574,341) and there were 61,008 searches of our Who Writes Like database. We've added some branch blogs which the staff have enjoyed updating and have started podcasting our author visits. I've compiled a Top 10 and thought I'd share with you all:

Top 10 Eastern Regional Libraries sites for 2008

10. 4 Kids Fun & Games (9133)
9. Teen Online Fashion (9609)
8. What's New @ your library blog (10463)
7. Job vacancies (12851)
6. Contact us (12928)
5. Email and Search (14202)
4. Teen Online Games (15823)
3. Using the library (20939)
2. 4 Kids Science (24025)

and

1. Find a library (34053)

I hope you've found our web services useful. I'll continue to look for ways to improve the service and offer great new resources.

Cheers, Maryanne
aka webgurl

New website update

Well I've uploaded the new Eastern Regional Libraries website. Spend a moment looking around. A few of the new features are:

New Logo

Eastern Regional Libraries' old logo was in use for almost 30 years and was designed by a member of the public during a logo competition. Our graphic designer, in consultation with library management, designed the bold new logo. The three squares represent the three councils that collaborate to provide a regional library service - Eastern Regional Libraries Corporation. Blue, green and red are colours that appear in one of the three council logos. The white lines represent the chinese character for 3.


Web links wiki

A wiki is a website anyone can edit, there's no need for programming experience. Throughout December library staff are editing the wiki to add the best links available on a variety of subjects and some tutorials on using the resources available in the library. From January we're offering registration to interested members of the public and schools so that they may edit the wiki.


Reader's Corner reviews

We've turned the Reader's Corner staff picks into a blog called Reader's Corner Reviews. This allows the reviews to be updated more frequently and offers a commenting system. We've also added a form to Reader's Corner so website visitors can submit reviews to be added to the blog.


Branch blogs coming soon

Staff in our branches are keen to blog about their local events so we'll be starting some branch blogs. These will take the place of the branch newsletters and will be constantly updated.

Podcasts

Eastern Regional Libraries now offers podcasts for The Eastern Regional Library Show that is broadcast on EasternFM every Wednesday 12:05PM. You'll find a link to podcasts in the left hand menu under community on our main site and over on the menu at the right on our blog.

At the moment I've only been given 3 recordings. We're hoping to build the collection of shows soon.

In addition we are looking at recording author visits to upload to the Twango podcast.


What's Next?

Next I'll be styling the catalogue to fit in with the rest of the site and I'll be giving the Bookmarks forum a new look as well.

Cheers, Maryanne
webgurl

Yes this is still the Eastern Regional Libraries blog

Well I'm sure you did a double-take when you loaded this page. The What's New blog has had a major makeover. It's part of the new branding for the website including the new logo designed by our graphic artist.

This is the first stage. I'll be uploading the new website soon. Just tweaking a few things. I'll also be advertising some new blogs including the Reader's Corner Reviews. Once I get the new website up and running we'll allow our website visitors to submit reviews so we can add to the blog.

So, what do you think so far?

Cheers, Maryanne

Website redesign

I've been busy here at work for the last four months or so redesigning the website. Our graphic artist has redesigned the Eastern Regional Libraries logo and we have branded the new site with the logo. I'm finishing the final pages and testing, tweaking etc so it should be online by the end of November.

While I was doing this I took the opportunity to change a few things and add some more features. Some of the features you can expect include:

A wiki for Online Information links
A wiki is a website that anyone can edit, just like Wikipedia. We'll be setting this up in stages. I have transferred the current content to the wiki and will be registering library staff to add to the wiki. From the 1st January I'll open it up for members of the public to register. I hope to get some schools interested too.

Within the wiki will be The Knowledge Centre, an area containing tutorials about using the library resources to find information and promotion of our online encyclopedias and other resources and Ask-a-Librarian.

Reader's Corner reviews
I've expanded the Reader's Corner Staff Picks. It is now a blog called Reader's Corner reviews and includes staff and member reviews. Where possible the reviews will include book covers and a link to the title in the library catalogue as well as in NoveList.

Podcasts
We've just started offering podcasts of The Eastern Regional Library Show. We will be adding more shows and hopefully videoing author visits etc and offering those on the blog as well.

Bright catalogue login box
The login area of the catalogue will be highly visible in the top right-hand corner of the website and is included on the Family History, Local History and Reader's Corner sites.

Favourite author/subject notification
Many of you have been saving your favourite authors and subjects through the catalogue. Once I've uploaded the new site, I'll be organising the reports to run so that you are notified via email when a new title by that author or on that subject arrives. You will need to have your email address on your membership record.

We'll keep offering great content including excellent online resources for students. We'll keep building the Reader's Corner area to help you find top reads.

I'll keep you posted regarding the new site.

Cheers, Maryanne
aka webgurl

Website and phones are back

Well as you may have noticed the telecommunication problems have been fixed. You can now access the library website and phone Library Administration. We also now have access to our email so if you've been waiting for a reply you should get one soon. I'm just working my way through mine now.

Cheers, Maryanne

Optus problem fixed

It appears that Optus has fixed their problem so members should now be able to access the library website.

Cheers, Maryanne