Gateshead Libraries modernise and enhance their website presence

The Gateshead Libraries team, headed up by Rachel Peacock and Gail Holmes, has significantly upgraded their community-centric website.

A key resource on the project was designer Mark Foster from Urban Platform. Mark was also responsible for Rotherham’s ’Ask My Community’ Affino Website - which has long been admired for its clean lines and elegant usability.

The main consideration for the site update was to give ever greater and easier access to resources, and to more readily flag up what was available on a current and forthcoming basis.

Navigation has been ramped up with improved Main Menu and Dynamic Menus on the Key Nav Buttons. The ’Virtual Library Services’ which were previously more tricky to access, are now front and centre on the new navigation.

The Home Page is split into 3 key areas - ’Coming Soon’, ’News Highlights’ and the new ’Recommended’ scrolling carousel - which is now a key component in alerting Library users to latest books, music and film and useful services.

We have been involved with Gateshead Libraries since 2003, and the previous look and feel was active from January 2004, for nearly 8 years. The new look gives the site a much-needed contemporary appeal, as it continues to provide the best of local community services and culture.

Aside from the main ’Virtual Library’, key areas of the site are the ’What’s On’ listings, ’Local History’ resources, ’Folk Archives North East’ and ’Readers Groups’ with integral Message Boards.

At a time when public services are being severely cut back, library services in particular. It is heartening to see Gateshead continuing to set the pace for how to deliver modern library services, and how to stay relevant within the community. We of course wish Gateshead every success with the new site.