Brisbane – January 24, 2011 – Sitecore and Velir today announced that the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library launched a new website with Sitecore’s software to make the JFK Library’s Digital Archives more accessible and useful worldwide. The website went live last week in preparation for today’s 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration as the 35th President of the United States.
JFKLibrary.org was designed to significantly improve access to 200,000 pages of text, 1,500 photos, 1,250 files of audio recordings and moving images and 340 phone conversations. The new website now connects the public to archival assets with an enhanced search function for easier and faster access.
“We wanted to ensure that we created a virtual experience that made it easy for people from around the world to discover and access educational and inspirational content that has the power to inspire all generations,” said John Hawley, director of Web development, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum. “From a technology perspective, improved site navigation was a large focus of the website redesign. The website needed to be easy to navigate so that it properly showcased the newly available information. For example, the new search engine allows visitors to enter the word ‘moon’ and pull up virtually every document, tape, and speech related to JFK’s mission to land men on the moon.”
Sitecore and partner, Velir, a full-service Web development agency, and a number of other contributing technology players collaborated to help the JFK Library staff move from the paper to digital era. Sitecore’s Content Management System (CMS) provides flexibility to integrate with third party applications, and scalability to create extraordinary Web experiences. Velir leveraged this flexibility to customise the new JFKLibrary.org and integrated the Sitecore CMS solution to enable online video, faceted search, and digital asset management. Velir also modernised the look and feel of the new site to adhere to JFK Library’s branding guidelines.
“This unprecedented project makes use of the latest advances in Web Content Management,” said Corey Caplette, director of development, Velir. “The JFK Library’s Digital Archives are influencing the manner in which libraries preserve history. Now visitors from all over the globe are only a click away from accessing historic information.”
The Web project called, “Access to a Legacy,” is the largest, most advanced digital archive created by a Presidential Library not “born digital.” Among the documents include a handwritten version of Kennedy's inaugural address and notes and tapes made during the Cuban missile crisis.
Learn more about this unprecedented project.
About The John F Kennedy Library
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is one of 13 presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration and is supported, in part, by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, a non-profit organisation. The Kennedy Presidential Library and the Kennedy Library Foundation seek to promote, through educational and community programs, a greater appreciation and understanding of American politics, history, and culture, the process of governing and the importance of public service.
About Velir Studios
Founded in 2000, Velir Studios is a full-service web agency that delivers high-quality, complex web solutions to large non-profit organisations, universities, and private companies. Our award-winning company is one of the largest Sitecore partners in North America and we are certified Google Enterprise Professionals. Our expertise in content management, data visualisation, software development, programming, engineering, and elegant user interface design enable us to create sophisticated Web-based systems that take the pain out of managing content and bring data to life by making it dynamic and compelling. For detailed case studies, please visit www.velir.com
About Sitecore
Sitecore redefines how organisations engage with their customers online, powering experiences that can sense and adapt to a customer’s needs to increase revenue and customer lifetime value and satisfaction. Sitecore was the first Web Content Management system (WCM) to incorporate marketing automation, intranet portal, eCommerce, Web optimisation, social media and campaign management technologies into a cohesive, integrated open platform. Sitecore’s software makes it easy for businesses to identify, serve, engage and convert new customers online.
Sitecore’s broad choice of capabilities enable marketing professionals, business stakeholders and information technology teams to rapidly implement, measure and manage a successful website and online business strategy. Its powerful development platform, integrated marketing automation tools and intuitive editing workspace enables successful websites of all types.
Thousands of public and private organisations have created and now manage more than 24,000 dynamic websites with Sitecore including Mazda Australia, Blackmores Ltd., Canon Australia and New Zealand, Panasonic, Village Roadshows, Jetstar, CSIRO and Australian Institute of Chartered Accountants.
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Media Contacts: Rachael Williams, Touchpoint Marketing
0410 296 860
Rachael.williams@touchpointmarketing.com.au
Kim Pegnato, Sitecore 781-620-1729 kmp@sitecore.net
Erick Mott, Sitecore
415-380-0600
Tiven Weinstock, Velir
617-440-3830