American Towns
American Towns is a relatively new site that lists local events, groups, news, and so on. It’s like many of the other local-geared sites that lets people find all the stuff that’s going on around them. Many of the communities we have libraries in already have quite a bit listed. There are some ads you have to wade through, but the richness of the information included on the site makes it worth it. It’s also pretty easy to find your way around between different parts of the site.
I suggest adding this to your list of ways to market your library online and do online outreach to all those online users that you don’t see in the physical library. If nothing else, make sure your libraries are listed correctly under Groups & Organizations. I wondered if anyone else in libraryland found this useful site, and found that Rick Roche found it three months ago. Go Rick! 
March 26th, 2007 at 5:03 am
I learned of this early because AmericanTowns made Western
Springs a model of what could be done with the website. AT staff seeded the village’s site with information, so it looks like more community involvement than there really is yet. Still, we are now trying to use the site, which has potential.
I have noticed that the current calendar comes up quickly but there is sometimes a delay when you try to get to next week. Otherwise, it is fairly easy to use.
March 26th, 2007 at 8:50 am
Thanks Rick, for sharing more info on this site! Yes, it does seem to be pre-populated, but still–a good resource. I wonder how they’re able to afford this? Ads can’t be bringing in that much revenue!
March 30th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Sarah, thanks for adding this to the lists of places to do online outreach. I saw your presentation on Reaching Patrons Online last fall at Internet Librarian, and shared that information with my local (Boston, MA) region recently.
Here’s hoping that things work out as smoothly as possible with your insurance (re: your recent post about the accident). And again, thanks.