Announcing the Launch of our New Website
The Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) is pleased to unveil its all-new redesigned website, now live at https://dp.la. Created in collaboration with renowned design firm Postlight, DPLA’s new website is more user-centered than ever before, with a focus on the tools, resources, and information that matter most to DPLA researchers and learners of all kinds. In a shift from the former site structure, content that primarily serves DPLA’s network of partners and others interested in deeper involvement with DPLA can now be found on DPLA Pro.
The new site combines the same core features and functionality that veteran users will recognize with new tools developed to enhance the DPLA experience for new and returning users alike. Highlights include:
- Browse by Topic. Browse by Topic is an all new resource designed to showcase the breadth and variety of content in DPLA without having to do a search. Topics such as Photography, Baseball, and the American Civil Wareach include lists of hand-selected items organized around specific themes that highlight materials from DPLA’s partner collections. DPLA plans to continue to expand this feature with new topics in the future.
- User guides. Educators, family researchers, lifelong learners, scholars, and developers will now find customized guides designed to orient them to the most relevant DPLA resources and provide tips for how to use DPLA.
- Search and Discovery. Researchers can now preview the same great content from our partners’ collections with larger item thumbnails where available. On item pages, clear integration of Rights Statements logos provide easy reuse guidelines and the “Cite this item” button generates item-level citations.
- Primary Source Sets. Educators and students will find a number of small, but powerful updates to the Primary Source Sets, such as a link to share sets directly to Google Classroom, integrating DPLA with this widely-used classroom tool, and easy navigation between sources and teaching guides.
- Exhibition Design. The revamped DPLA Exhibition design provides improved navigation, allowing users to easily explore these stories of national significance.
In addition to the main site, DPLA Pro now provides organizational information about DPLA as well as a centralized resource for members of DPLA’s partner and collaborator communities and anyone looking to get involved with the work going on at DPLA. DPLA Pro includes extensive resources for and about DPLA’s Hub networkand member institutions, but it is not just for DPLA “pros.” DPLA Pro also includes resources for Community Reps sharing DPLA with audiences across the country; developers building new apps with our API; educators looking to learn more about DPLA’s ongoing education projects; and librarians, publishers, and others interested in maximizing access to ebooks. DPLA Pro is the place to explore past and current projects underway at DPLA, such as RightsStatements.org and Hydra-in-a-Box, and learn more about events including DPLAfest, workshops, and more.
DPLA’s new website represents a significant step forward in DPLA’s core work of connecting people with the riches held within America’s libraries, archives, and museums. Users now have more pathways to discover content in DPLA, better tools at their disposal, and a more clear, streamlined website to facilitate their discovery. DPLA has worked hard to ensure that the new site is fully compliant with accessibility best practices to ensure that all users can access and use the resources in our collections and on our website. DPLA is also powered by its strong and growing network of partners and collaborators, who will also now find an online resource tailored to their needs at DPLA Pro.
Let us know what you think using the feedback button in the lower left corner of the new website!
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