WordPress Website Editing: Home

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Website Template

• Website Template

STLS created a website template to provide an example of how you might layout your library website to meet NYS Minimum Standards. The template includes one example of the menu structure you might use when developing your own library website. See additional examples below from STLS member libraries.

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Website Examples

• Cuba Circulating Library
• Watkins Glen Public Library
• Alfred Box of Books Library

Each of the websites linked above meets NYS Minimum Standards.

On the Cuba Circulating Library website, under "About Us" in the website menu, the library links to:

• Mission Statement
• Library Policies
• Annual Report

Additionally, under the link "For Library Trustees," the website includes:

• List of Board Members
• Committees
• Budget
• Bylaws
• Minutes
• STLS Info

Library contact information, hours, and location are also prominently featured in the widgets section and footer of the website.

Similarly, under "About Us," the Watkins Glen Public Library provides links to:

• Bylaws
• Strategic Plan
• Policies
• Budget
• Community Report

The Board of Trustees page includes a list of current members and links to board meeting minutes, along with information on upcoming board meeting date, time, and location. And, the library hours and contact information are prominently featured in the sidebar using widgets.

Alfred Box of Books Library features the following items under "About Us" in the website menu:

• Strategic Plan
• Policies
• Annual Report

And, under the same menu item, they've included a link to a page for the library board of trustees. That page includes:

• Trustees
• Meeting Date, Time, Location
• Bylaws
• Budget

Board meeting minutes are linked on a separate page within the same menu. Library hours are posted in a sidebar widget, along with the library phone number and email address. The library location is included in the website footer, as well as on the About Us page.

1. Login to the library's WordPress website. 
   *Need login assistance? Call 607-962-3141 ext. 5228.
2. Use the Updraft Plus plugin to create a backup of your library website.
3. To customize the way your website looks, you need to edit the theme. Click on the “Appearance” tab in the left side menu and choose “Customize.” STLS supports the “Spacious” theme.
4. In the customize window, small blue and white pencil icons will appear to indicate which portions of the site you can edit. Click on the icon and it will take you to the appropriate area to begin editing. 
5. To modify your menus (see "Anatomy of a WordPress Website" at left), go to the “Appearance” tab, then choose “Menus.”
   1. If you've created a new page, be sure to add the new page to the menu!
      Go to Appearance -> Menus. Then, add the new page from the list of Pages. Then drag the new page into place.
6. To edit or add a new page, go to the “Pages” tab in the left side menu. (See "Anatomy of a WordPress Website at left.)
   1. In Pages, you can edit an existing page, or use the "Add New" button to add a new page.
7. To edit the Widgets sidebar, choose "Widgets" from the left side menu.

• Bylaws ​
• Long-Range Plan ​
• Annual Report to the Community ​
• Library Policy Manual ​
• Library Budget ​
• Current Library Information ​
• Library Trustees ​
• Board Minutes ​
• Upcoming Board Meeting Agendas and Meeting Announcements 

Example 1 (Watkins): 

• About Us
  • History
  • Hours
  • Contact
  • Board of Trustees
  • Strategic Plan
  • Policies 
  • Friends Group
• Upcoming Events
• Programs
  • Children's Library
  • Summer Learning
• Services
  • Print, Copy, Fax
  • NYS Empire Passes
  • Telehealth Kit
  • Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspots
  • Library of Things
  • Law Library
  • Recommendations
• Accessibility
• Newsletter
• Resources
  • Libby & OverDrive
  • College Resources
  • Employment
  • Homeschooling
  • Visit Watkins Glen
• Donate

Example 2 (Template Site):

• Home
• About Us
  • Library Policies
  • Board of Trustees
• Services
• Resources
• Calendar
• Support the Library

Example 3 (Alfred):

• Home
• Events
• Servies
  • Youth Services
    • 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten
    • Homeschool Resources
  • Technology Assistance
  • Library of Things
    • Museum Passes
    • Board Games
  • Book Club
  • Seed Library
  • Talking Book & Braille Library
• About Us
  • Strategic Plan 2022-2026
  • Alfred Box of Books Board of Trustees
    • Board of Trustees Meeting Documents
  • Library Newsletters
  • Policies
  • Annual Reports
  • History
• STARCat
• Digital Resources
  • Research Databases
• Newsletter Sign Up