8- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 16, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com New website at Oakville library a first in North America Oakville Public Library (OPL) has launched a new website. Not only will it offer new capabilities to customers, but will make it the first library in North America to offer customers this unique new way of discovering what the library has to offer. Built with revolutionary software developed by a private company with the Oakville Public Library as its testing partner, the new website will offer many of the features that residents have come to expect from the most popular online retailers and search engines. Customers will no longer have to think like a librarian in order to search the library's catalogue, but will be able to enter keywords just as they do in Google. Other features include the ability to add and receive recommendations, rate titles, categorize books, keep track of what has been borrowed, create lists, earn credits to win prizes, and more. Through the new website every OPL customer will be able to create their own online space, allowing a more personal experience. The new website is the culmination of two years of research. More than 200 OPL customers volunteered to test the site, allowing for feedback and appropriate upgrades to be made. Libraries across the continent are waiting for this software to become available, and as it does and the Oakville library network expands, OPL customers can connect with other library users within North America. "Our new website recognizes the way that our customers wish to seek information and discover new things," said Lori Sims, CEO. "It has been a lot of hard work, but we've always been committed to improving customer service through innovation. This new website truly fulfills our organizational vision to `Bring people and ideas together,'" said Sims. To celebrate the launch, the library asked Mayor Rob Burton which five books he would choose to bring with him if he were to be stranded on a desert island. The mayor's choices included the following: · Wind, Waves, and Sunburn: A Brief History of Marathon Swimming · The Power of Positive Thinking To discover the rest of the mayor's list, visit www.opl.on.ca and try out the new website. By travelling through the site, local residents can join the mayor, creating and sharing their own lists of favourite books and movies. n-one Spec Hole-i ial A 20% off all "in-shop" window repairs. You bring in the frame... we'll put in your glass. 48 hour turnaround (in-shop sealed unit replacements will take 7-10 business days) Sale ends August 2, 2008 LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER 550 Bronte Rd., Oakville 905.827.2951 LEADING THE WAY: At the launch of the new Oakville Public Library website, Mayor Rob Burton reads one of his favourite books. The software driving the new website is being tested at the Oakville Library system, making the local library system the first in North America to boast many new capabilities. Vision To be the most livable town in Canada Dorval Drive & Upper Middle Road July 21 28, 2008 Up Ro ad pe r Mi dd le Lane Closures In order to hold the RBC Canadian Open, the following lanes will be closed: Sixteen Mile Creek Glen Abbey Golf Club Wild Wood Park Do rva l Dr Lindsey Park Closed lane *Map not to scale Did you know... Hop on the bus and take the new Route 32 to the RioCan Centre, and Silver City Movie Theatre, located at Burloak and QEW . Route 32 runs seven days a week from the Hopedale Mall to the RioCan Centre starting at 8:20 a.m. For the complete transit schedule, visit www.oakvilletransit.ca