Now Live: Website Software Update

Your library website (kcls.org) upgraded to a new software version on April 3. This update is focused heavily on the backend tools that power our website and will not bring many changes to your experience using the site. Here's what to expect.

What has stayed the same?

  • The entire catalog. This includes Search, My Account/Borrowing, Suggest for Purchase, and every other catalog feature.
  • The search tool at the top of the website and catalog.
  • The online event calendar.
  • Menus at the top of the website and catalog, and menus/links at the bottom (‘the footer’) of the website and catalog.
  • Library Hours & Locations pages.
  • FAQs
  • Basic informational pages and forms like Interlibrary Loan and About Us.

What's different?

Book, movie, and music recommendations are easier to find. 

Browse all similar book, movie, music, and other recommendations using a new Explore tool.

For example, click ‘Featured,’ ‘View All,’ or any of the category links (such as 'Books' or 'All Nonfiction') from this section at the top of the Books page to view similar recommendations.

From this section at the top of the Books page, you can click ‘Featured,’ ‘View All’, or any of the taxonomy links at the bottom such as Books, or All Nonfiction to view all related content.

View results for related recommendations on a new Explore page. Browse only the recommendations you’re most interested in by adding or removing Post Type, Audience, Related Format, Program, Genre, Topic, or Tag filters.

Note that the Explore page is not a way to search the catalog or website. To search the catalog or website, use the search tool.

You can add or remove taxonomy filters from the drop-down category menus to browse featured website content by Post Type, Audience, Related Format, Program, Genre, Topic, or Tag with the new Explore tool.

The homepage is simpler.

Get to information more easily on a streamlined page with less overall content.

Find frequently used information like museum passes faster in a new quick links section at the top right.

View select recommendations focusing on adults, kids and teens, and other services in a new 'Recommended' section at the bottom. 

The new version of the website works better for people with accessibility needs.

Our vendor Bibliocommons has designed, built, and tested this software upgrade with improved accessibility in mind. Patrons who make use of screen reader software, tabbed browsing, high contrast displays, magnification tools, and other assistive technologies should have a much better experience using the new KCLS website.

If you are a person with a disability and have trouble using our website or you use assistive technology and have difficulty accessing information on our website, contact our ADA Coordinator.

Questions about this change or need help using the new website?

Find answers to frequently asked questions about using the website.

  • The reading challenge is part of our yearlong Celebrate the Freedom to Read campaign. Celebrate our freedom by collectively reading or listening to 1 million minutes. 

  • Book Group Kits are bags containing 10 copies of the same book that you can check out and use for your book clubs or other groups.

    1. Follow the link for Rosetta Stone on our Databases page in a browser. Enter your library card number and password.
    2. Select Rosetta Stone Library Solution from the list.
    3. Create an account with your email address and a password. Select a language to learn. You can only learn one language with the Rosetta Stone.
    4. On your mobile device, download the Rosetta Stone app from your provider’s store. You can follow the link in the “View available apps” section on our Databases
    5. Open the app and select “Log In” underneath the blue “Get Started” button.
    6. Select “Work or School” for the account type.
    7. Enter the email address you used to create your Rosetta Stone account for the user name. Enter the password you created. On Android devices, choose Next.
    8. Enter the Workspace ID on Apple devices and when prompted for Android device. The workspace ID is s9225476.
    9. Choose Sign In for iOS or Next for Android.
    10. Start learning!
  • A Teen Advisory Board is a group of teen volunteers who meet regularly with a librarian facilitator to offer input on library services and co-design library programs. Teen Advisory Boards help librarians create programs that meet the needs of youth in their community. These programs align with the library’s mission and goals. Contact your local library to learn more about recent events planned for and with teens.

  • Public works include all of the following, executed at the cost of the agency (RCW 39.04.010):

    • Work
    • Construction
    • Alteration
    • Repair
    • Improvement other than ordinary maintenance

    For public works projects estimated to be under $50,000:

    We only require two verbal quotations to determine the best price.

    For public works projects estimated to be $50,000-$350,000:

    We require a minimum of three written quotations to determine the best price. We may use our Small Public Works Roster (RCW 39.04.155) to request bids.

    For projects estimated to be over $350,000:

    We advertise in our local newspapers and post on OpenGov.

Still need help? Call, email, or chat with us.

This post has been updated to reflect that the update is now live.