eBranch Blog

February 25, 2005

Press Release: Library Service at the Touch of a Browser

Harris County Public Library Creates Toolbar for Online Customers

Houston, TX, February 25, 2005: Customers of the Harris County Public Library System, in Houston, now have library services at their fingertips- literally. The library system announced today a new web toolbar that customers can download. The toolbar allows customers to search the Harris County Catalog , access the Teen and Children?s site and even renew books. The toolbar, which is similar to the Google toolbar, can be downloaded for free.

Grace Lillevig, eBranch Librarian, and Will Willis, Web Designer, designed the toolbar so customers can have a seamless web experience. Grace explained that customers who are reading a web site and see a book or movie mentioned can use the toolbar, search the library catalog and put the item on hold. Customers can then go to their neighborhood branch and pick up the item. She says, ?We believe that we are the first public library in the United States to offer this unique and personalized library web service.?

Harris County Public Library serves the county surrounding the Houston metropolitan area. The library system has 26 branches around the county. Both the Tomball and Cy-Fair branches are partnerships with the North Harris Montgomery Community College. The library system circulated over 8 million items last year.