If you haven’t noticed already, two of Iowa’s largest digital libraries—Iowa Digital Library (IDL) and Iowa Heritage Digital Collections (IHDC)—have updated looks. The changes, put in place in July, are not just cosmetic; the improvements aim to increase access to a trove of unique documents from and about Iowa.

First, a point of clarification. Ever since I arrived in April, I’ve found that many people use the terms Iowa Digital Library and Iowa Heritage Digital Collections interchangeably. They are, in fact, two separate digital libraries, even though some of the same UI collections (those with an Iowa history emphasis) can be accessed from both places. Iowa Digital Library contains digital collections generated at University of Iowa—primarily digitized artifacts from UI Libraries and UI faculty research. On the other hand, Iowa Heritage Digital Collections is a statewide consortium that encourages Iowa libraries, schools, historical societies, museums, archives, and other cultural heritage organizations to create and mount digital collections that highlight the state’s history and culture. UI Libraries helps provide server space and technical support for both efforts. Our unit manages the Iowa Digital Library while Nancy E. Kraft, the head of Preservation at UI Libraries, leads Iowa Heritage.

OK, back to the redesigns. The new Iowa Heritage Web site features rotating images from the collection along with a search box and allows users to search across collections. Some of the most popular search topics—aviation, football, and maps—are accessible with one click.

The new Iowa Digital Library Web site now includes a link from the main page to all digital collections. All collections, in turn, now have an introductory or “splash” page that provides a description of the digital collection and links to the content provider(s) and physical collection finding aids. Also, new collections get special prominence on the left side of the page while the DLS blog powers a News section where we push new developments about digital projects and related issues to interested parties. A new banner that will soon display offers not only a better look—out with the blue, in with gold—but better options to navigate between pages. Well-deserved credit for the Iowa Digital Library redesign goes to outgoing Web Services head Scott Fiddelke, DLS student worker Julie Bleecker, Webmaster Linda Roth, and DLS librarians Jen Wolfe and Mark Anderson. We hope you enjoy the changes!

—Nicki Saylor
Head, Digital Library Services