Participating libraries sent one to two staff members, in most cases the library director, to training at the Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL).  The ODL project lead officer had built and customized the basic framework for each website. During class, each participant put the finishing touches on their website with text, images and links. ODL made the website available through the World Wide Web. The training was lecture and hands-on learning. 

Forty-two individuals received website training. There were ten training sessions offered; each a two-day class held from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm with four hours and forty minutes of instruction and one hour and fifty minutes set aside for lunch and breaks.

When asked if having a website had increased delivery of library services, fifty-two percent of participants strongly agreed and forty-one percent agreed.  None disagreed. 

When asked if a website had increased user frequency, thirty-four percent strongly agreed and fifty-two agreed.  None disagreed. 

Participants were asked to give examples of how their library website had helped their libraries.

Here are samples of participant comments taken from class exit evaluations:

"Our students and volunteers find us through our website."

"Recently a young woman moved to our community and found our website. She knew what she needed and brought the appropriate forms of I.D. to get a library card. She had already looked on our online catalog and decided what she wanted to checkout. She was impressed with our library and said she was excited that she was able to be so prepared."

"I have a better knowledge of our website and how to use it so I'm more able to help patrons."

"Patrons express appreciation of the notification of upcoming events on our website, as well as access from the site to our catalog and our eBook system."

"Love having the calendar available to them."

"We post all our library events, classes and news on our website, it's how our patrons keep themselves in the loop."

"The information is presented with an 'at-a 'glance' look that doesn't require them to search extensively. Visual cues (pictures) helps to find info easily."

"We have had several patron comments about how great the website looks. It is easy to locate information."

"It helps inform the public of the programs and opportunities the library provides to the public."

"Patrons contact us through the email link from the website with e-book, reference and genealogy requests."

"One day we found an article in the newspaper about the library that we hadn't sent in. The editor had gone to our website to get it!"

'The WordPress sites are easy to use! The training helped to make us real experts at updating our content."

"Our program participation has increased."

"A patron recently saw information about a Diabetes Empowerment Education Program that was posted on our website. They had been searching for such a program to help them understand and control their diabetes. Attending the classes has helped them do so."

"Many patrons have told me they enjoy reading our monthly newsletters, which are posted on our website. Also they find it easy to access Digital Prairie from our homepage."

Participants were asked how they thought their community of users had benefitted from the library's web presence.

"They have benefited with the information provided such as programs offered, location, and tutor trainings."

"They are able to use our online catalog to see if we have books they are looking for. They can get pertinent information about hours and policies as well as get information on how to access ebooks."

"It is a vibrant one-stop online shop for our services. Our customers are able to easily find information about the library and contact us through the website."

"The community is able to keep abreast of programs and services we offer that of interest to them."

"They are able to view fresh content, find out about upcoming events and easily access data bases."

"They have access to many things that we couldn't provide without a website. We can use it to fully describe events that Facebook only allows us to briefly name. They are able to go to the calendar to look for upcoming events as well as find curated websites in one easy-to-use place."

"Our website is professional and crisp. As a nonprofit, the library hosting has been invaluable by providing us with a presence we might not otherwise be able to afford."

"Mostly through easy access to Digital Prairie as well as advertising for book sale and summer reading activities."