Amsterdam Public Library is out to redefine how we think of the library. AquaBrowser has helped the Amsterdam Public Library completely renew its web identity by assembling a wide range of online resources at a single search point. Amsterdam Public Library has pulled together the most popular Dutch digital resources online and AquaBrowser assembles all the data alongside the catalog in a single search. Not only has Amsterdam designed a completely new site since going live with AquaBrowser, but the library continues to add new resource partners, making the search one of the richest in the world.
AquaBrowser's imperative role in this is the library search; connecting all the valuable data the library has to offer with the librarians and patrons. Amsterdam is using this unique opportunity to become the main information point both digitally and physically to the city. This has set van Velzen and his staff on the mission of partnering with the best online resources in the country.
These resources include:
- The Amsterdam Public Library system catalog
- The National Catalog of the Dutch Public Library Association
- Uitburo -- the 'go to' site for all arts, music and cultural events going on daily in every major city
- FabChannel, an online streaming video site with live performances from the most popular bands and musicians coming through the Netherlands
- Rotterdam Central Discotheek -- the largest collection of music CDs in Europe
- Schoolbieb, a unique catalog for kids; Davindi, a portal created by information experts
- Full-text articles from 7 national newspapers and 6 national magazines
- Keesings Historisch Archief, a national historical archive of the Netherlands
- Al@din -- the Digital Reference desk and a question and answer point online
- Van Dale Dutch Language Dictionary
A search for 'The Rolling Stones' yields books about the artist in the collection, CDs in the Discotheek, articles from newspapers, just about anything you can imagine -- in one, single search. Van Velzen's vision has also included some fairly simple ideas for making the library a better service; such as placing the search box in the center of the screen at all times, where users expect to find it. The AquaBrowser-powered search at the Amsterdam Public Library's website is unprecedented in design, search capabilities, connectivity to resources, and still incorporates great technology to help the user find what they are looking for. This website with AquaBrowser has also been given the Innovation Award for best information site of 2006.
Amsterdam Public Library is going through a complete renaissance with the building of the new main library, which has already been outfitted with more than 15 ½ miles of bookshelves, has also completely revised its web site and search in the past year. Amsterdam's Library Director, Hans van Velzen, is a true visionary in the initiative to build the modern library. At a recent junket he stated, "We're not moving into a new building. We are completely redefining the Amsterdam Public Library system." The brand new main library will open in Amsterdam on July 7, 2007.
AquaBrowser gathers all the library's resources together with a superior search and an interface that puts knowledge into your patrons' hands. We are very proud to call Amsterdam one of the flagship implementations of AquaBrowser for the library world.
About Medialab Solutions BV
AquaBrowser software and AquaBrowser Online service offer the most comprehensive and visual search for your library catalog. Medialab Solutions focuses its efforts toward creating successful searching solutions with invigorating passion to maintain all libraries as superior sources of information and knowledge. Striving to become the Number One library search solution in the world, AquaBrowser technology can be found in libraries around the world, including over 120 libraries in the USA and 80% of Dutch public libraries. For more information about the company, access http://www.aquabrowser.com or contact us directly.
