Whether that’s a website that’s clear and easy to use or proper access to a local library service, it all comes down to the same things – accessibility, being user-centred and available when people need it, in ways that they find convenient.

The We Heart Libraries community site

Libraries in the UK are in a lot of trouble right now. Austerity measures have meant less money available for local government and some councils are making huge cuts to their services including closing down branches, cutting mobile rounds or replacing paid staff with volunteers.

Here in Hertfordshire no branches have been closed but opening hours have been cut by a third and Hertfordshire County Council is now exploring ways that voluntary and community organisations can get more involved with the service.

Trouble is, we believe that library cuts are a false economy. You might think of a library as a place to go to borrow books or read newspapers, or maybe to get Internet access, but these days it is so much more.

Libraries provide services that underpin our communities – whether it is information for entrepreneurs and would-be business owners, support for parents, learners and educators, or advice on how to deal with the many different problems that life throws up before they get out of hand.

And that’s without everything they do to make people’s lives richer – by helping them pursue interests, enjoy their leisure, get more involved with their communities or take part in arts, literary or cultural events.

We think that cutting access to libraries will simply mean that calls on other public and voluntary services will become more acute and put them to more stress and expense. And, because we think it is really important that someone is speaking up for libraries locally, we decided to do just that.

Accordingly, we’ve built the We Heart Libraries website with the aim of celebrating everything that’s great about libraries in North Herts and Stevenage – and championing them in times of trouble. This isn’t a project of the company but a separate, voluntary cause that we’re supporting because we think it’s really important and worthwhile.

Onlineability director Andy Darley said of the project: “I grew up in Hitchin and the library was like a second home to me. As a child it was a place of magic and wonder, and it really matters to me that people all across our area – whatever their ages or backgrounds – should have the same opportunities I had.

“Libraries are more than just buildings with books in them. Their combination of resources, facilities and highly-trained staff mean they can act as a hub for a whole town or district. By spreading knowledge, culture and information, a strong library network builds a strong community.”

So, why not pop along, take a look and even sign up to start helping campaign for our local libraries. We’ll be needing all the support we can get to make a big splash for National Libraries Day on February 4. We hope you will join us.

Onlineability directors Andy Darley and Lisa Hutchins responded to a fundraising appeal in the Screech Owl Sanctuary’s regular newsletter by offering to give its website a complete makeover at no charge.

The job required a site that was attractively-designed, informative for visitors and painless for busy staff to use and update – as well as making sure the sanctuary appeared high on any visitor’s potential list of places to visit in Cornwall.

The redesigned site is now live and the company is working to help staff make the most of it and consider future directions for expansion. Visit it here.

Onlineability director Andy Darley said: “We have followed the work of the Screech Owl Sanctuary closely for years now, sponsoring an owl and visiting whenever we are in range. We’ve got some great memories of time spent there, especially taking part in its falconry experience, and we definitely recommend a visit.

“When we got the newsletter containing the fundraising appeal we were very keen to help, and offering our professional skills simply seemed the most effective way to do it.

“We hope we have set them up with a site that works well for staff and visitors – but which, crucially, can also grow to meet their future needs. We look forward to working with the sanctuary in the future to continue to make sure the site does a really good job for them.”

Screech Owl Sanctuary deputy manager Sarah Clement added: “We would like to thank Andy and Lisa for an absolutely fantastic new website. The work they have done is incredible and their service was second to none.

“They have been very patient and understanding with us when we’ve had difficulties understanding web jargon and always explained things thoroughly. They’ve been just on the end of phone, answered any queries we’ve had along the way and been full of helpful advice and tips.”

For more information: Onlineability can be contacted by telephone on 01462 437503, by email or on the web.

The Screech Owl Sanctuary can be contacted by telephone on 01726 860182, by email or on the web.

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The Screech Owl Sanctuary, located near Indian Queens in mid-Cornwall, is home to a large collection of owl species from around the world and offers visitors of all ages an excellent opportunity to learn about owl conservation.
2. It offers a wide range of experiences including guided tours with qualified staff, close encounters with the hand-tame owls under staff supervision, falconry displays with owls and birds of prey, owl husbandry and falconry courses and rescue work with sick and injured owls.
3. The Screech Owl Sanctuary is also involved with internationally-important projects to safeguard rare species. These include its Siberian Eagle Owl breeding programme and a pioneering cataract operation to save one bird’s sight. More information here.
4. Onlineability is the Hitchin-based web and copywriting agency run by Andy Darley and Lisa Hutchins. We love the power and beauty of good, simple, uncomplicated writing and web design – and we want to share it. We’re passionate about using the internet to communicate our clients’ messages and we are experts at making each word hit its target, whether it’s part of a snappy headline, a friendly newsletter or a long and detailed report that needs to hold its readers’ interest to the end.
5. Andy and Lisa are regular visitors to the sanctuary and sponsor a Western Screech Owl named Montana – Monty for short.

ENDS