The "beta" version of the library system uses more refined searching which allows students to limit their searches to the reserves, Jones Media Library, journals and other specific locations.
"One of the things we were trying to do when we designed the site was to keep everything simple and accessible," Mary LaMarca, library communications and web manager, said.
The new site should be fully functional by spring term, and that she and the team welcome any feedback about it, associate librarian Cynthia Pawlek said.
While users can now access the new site, both LaMarca and Pawlek cautioned students that, since the site is still under construction, they may encounter dead links or other problems.
"We want to be sure that people know that we're still in the process of creating it," LaMarca said. "If you hit an error page, they're all linked to return to the main beta site."
The website's new layout is similar to that of Dartmouth's homepage.
While the old front page presented users with only four direct links, the new version presents multiple library catalog search engines and subject-specific resource lists.
Large links at the top of the front page direct users to the "Ask a Librarian" feature and to instructions for accessing library resources from off campus.
The team chose to highlight these pages after hearing from users that they were popular features, but were difficult to locate on the old site.
Every page of the new site contains a link to Search360, the library's central collection of research databases, as well as links to sub-sites for each of Dartmouth's seven libraries.
The team included these links to allow users to more easily access all of the library's resources, LaMarca said.
The website also contains a menu of different subject areas -- such as Arts and Humanities or Medicine and Life Sciences -- each with its own site containing lists of the most relevant databases to that subject, as well as research guides and related subject lists.
Another goal of the new site is to connect students with members of the library's staff, LaMarca said.
"We wanted to see the human face of the library more, because a lot of the expertise the library offers is through our staff," she said.
To make the staff more accessible, the site of each subject area also contains the photo and contact information about a library staff member with particular knowledge in the area.
A team, comprising of members of the cataloguing, communications, research and administrative departments of Dartmouth's libraries, began work on the site in July 2006 and hoped to complete it in December of the same year, LaMarca said.
However, the length of time needed to incorporate content from all the libraries on campus into one delayed the site's completion, she said.
"It's been a huge task," Pawlek said. "It's such a big site, with so many facets to it."
LaMarca said further improvements to the site will include adding more accessible research aids.
Pawlek encouraged students to offer feedback on what they think of the new website.
"We're doing a usability study on it right now," Pawlek said.
"At the top of the site, there's a link to a web redesign survey we'd love to have students participate in, as well."
