News Release

Sage Internet Launches New Greater Victoria Public Library Site

Victoria, BC, February 03, 2003 — The Greater Victoria Public Library is pleased to announce the launch of its new web site at www.gvpl.ca. The Victoria firm Sage Internet Solutions Ltd. worked in tandem with library staff throughout the development phase to design a new and exciting site. “We wanted our own look, and felt very strongly that our site should visually reflect our community of library users. All of the photos on the web site are of local people who use and love the library, plus we have a sprinkling of photos of library staff too,” said Susan Henderson, Manager of Marketing and Communications.

The new site’s design provides easier navigation to the expanded content now available throughout the site. New services introduced with the launch of the new web site include “E-Mail Notification” for holds and renewals, a much asked for feature that adds convenience and speed to the receipt of library notices.

The library’s web site now offers an “Ask a Librarian” service for those who would like “virtual service” instead of visiting the library or telephoning with a reference question. The “Best of the Web” is a highly selective bibliography of the best web sites that gives easy access to high-quality, librarian-evaluated web sites along with the subscription databases at the Central Library. Plus, a “Reader’s Café” section celebrates books and reading and an exciting “Youth Page” brings wonderful resources to kids, parents and teachers.

A soft launch in November allowed library staff to respond to web site feedback and fine-tune its many new features. Henderson added, “The overall response has been quite wonderful and the constructive comments we’ve received can only help us improve the site as we enter our Phase Two Development Stage. We want people to make the library their first and most-used resource, and a good web site can be that easy gateway.”

About Sage Internet Solutions Ltd.

Sage is a very focused company dedicated to the design, implementation, marketing, and maintenance of Internet based solutions. Its client list consist of many prominent Victoria businesses in a diverse range of industries, Provincial Government Ministries, as well as companies and organizations in Vancouver, other provinces, and the United States. Sage specializes in Internet projects that require:

• Database Integration
• Web Applications
• Customized Programming
• e-Learning and Web Based Training
• e-Commerce Capabilities
• Effective Search Engine Marketing