www.apl.org

The Appleton Public Library unveiled an updated web site during National Library Week in April. The site is located at www.apl.org. New features include links to NEWCat, a web catalog with holdings of over a million items, full text databases with thousands of magazines and reference books, and expanded community information resources. More than ever, the web site is a starting point on the internet with links to many online information sources.

NEWCat is a web catalog of books and media owned by public libraries throughout Northeastern Wisconsin. It is provided by the Outagamie Waupaca Library System. Users can choose to search for items owned only by the Appleton Public Library or those owned by all of the member libraries. They can also check only media collections. Search options include author, title, subject, series and keyword. A library patron can check his patron record which includes information about items checked out and on hold. Reserves can be placed and canceled online. There is also an option to send an e-mail message to library staff.

Four full text databases with access to thousands of magazines and reference books are available on the web site. General Reference Center is a magazine index that offers subject access to general interest magazines and newspapers. Business File International offers subject access to business magazines and newspapers. The Health Reference Center is a current source of health and medical information. And Contemporary Authors provides biographical and bibliographical information about authors in a searchable format.

Cooler by the Lake - Northeast Wisconsin Librarians' Field Guide to the Web is available through the Appleton Public Library web site. Cooler by the Lake is a subject guide to the web with an emphasis on Northeast Wisconsin sites and resources. Free of advertising, the site consists of annotated links to subject areas as diverse as Law, Genealogy, Grants and Fundraising, Hobbies and Collecting, and Home and Garden.

The library has expanded its online local information resources including an index to the Post-Crescent, Appleton history resources including Founding of Appleton, Appleton Firsts, Appleton Chronology, and Edna Ferber. There is a link to Fox Communities Online (FOCOL), a community network of local resources on the web.

While the library's site has always included a Family Internet Home Page, it has added a young adult site called Teen Scene. The site is meant to be a hang out on the web that includes Point of View, a moderated chat site that will include teen writings and book reviews, Word Up!, a summer reading program for teens, and Source Board, links to homework help sites.

The updated web site provides 24-hour library service that is accessible from home and business. It is meant to be an easy-to-use source of information.