Kitchener Public Library (KPL) consists of five libraries. A large central library in the downtown core, and four community libraries spread across the city to provide services for the various neighborhoods of Kitchener. The Library aims to help community members realize their individual and collective potentials by connecting them to ideas and experiences as well as inspiration and insight. As the evolution of digital products continues to replace physical media, KPL noted that their website should reflect that transformation. In late 2014 KPL issued an RFP for their website redesign. In conjunction with design partners Intent, Sandbox was proud to be awarded the contract for the Kitchener Public Library website redevelopment project.
Solution
Sandbox began the project by facilitating multiple discovery workshops as part of our digital strategy. An interesting insight from these stakeholder engagements was that KPL had a large focus on events within the local community. There was an appetite for a bright and inviting user interface. Intent's designers delivered a modern, colourful, responsive design that lent itself well to the promotion of the Library's many events. The recommendations generated from our digital strategy led Sandbox Software and Kitchener Public Library to selected Drupal as their Content Management System of preference. The open source CMS and comprehensive permissions system allowed the KPL team members to manage and be responsible for separate elements, services and pages on the website. The website also includes appropriate web features including but not limited to: Social media integration, event calendars, blogs, branch hours, catalogue search, analytics and more. The revitalized website is now maintained by KPL's technical team.
Outcome
Today Kitchener Public Library is a community hub where people find information-rich and engaging resources of all kinds, both in person and through their new, modern website. Rich and extensive digital resources, authentic community connections, enriching programs and events that can all be promoted, shared and experienced through the new Library website. Members can book meeting rooms, register for clubs and volunteer opportunities, and find answers to basic questions about library services.
“Working with Sandbox was a pleasure. The team listened closely to our needs, and our values, and worked with us to make our vision a reality. We felt as though we were a partner in the process, rather than a client, making the final product that much more rewarding.”
— Gary Bauman, Web Services Librarian, Kitchener Public Library
Sandbox facilitated several engaging digital strategy workshops with Library stakeholders to garner opinions on what they wanted to see in the new website.
> Digital Strategy & Consulting
Sandbox specializes in user-centric websites that work enhance and promote the service capabilities and offerings unique to that specific organization.
> Website Design & Development
Sandbox can develop websites in several Content Management Systems. We often help our clients review and determine which CMS best suits their digital needs through extensive discovery processes.
> Discovery