Transform Gov - the digital government podcast

This episode of Transform Gov is packed with actionable insights for professionals working on website redevelopment, accessibility improvements, and international audience engagement. Hosted by Maeve Kneafsey, Episode 22 features Liz Coffey from the National Library of Ireland (NLI), sharing their journey to deliver a world-class digital platform for users at home and abroad.What You'll Learn:Bilingual Accessibility: How the NLI prioritised Irish and English language support, working with translation companies and automation tools like Sinosta to ensure high-quality content delivery.User Experience Design (UX): The role of user research, remote workshops, and data-driven decision-making in crafting a platform that meets diverse audience needs.Digital Innovation: Implementing features like ticketing integration, event management tools, and a robust content architecture to serve both domestic and international users effectively.Global Reach: The NLI’s success in attracting audiences from Japan, the US, and beyond to their unique collections on Yeats, Seamus Heaney, and other Irish cultural treasures.Genealogy and Family History: The popularity of the NLI’s parish registers and their value to researchers, especially those tracing family roots impacted by the destruction of the Four Courts archives during the Irish Civil War.Key Results:A remarkable 84% increase in reader ticket applications since launching the new website in March 2023.Expanded online visibility and engagement through international events, webinars, and social media campaigns.Enhanced analytics to understand and cater to user interests, from genealogy to Irish literature.Future Innovations:Liz Coffey gives an exclusive preview of the NLI’s ambitious plans, including the redevelopment of the West Wing into a vibrant cultural space featuring exhibitions, learning areas, and more. With the goal of unveiling these updates for the library’s 100th anniversary in 2027, the NLI continues to set the bar for public sector innovation.Advice for Public Sector Professionals:Plan with Purpose: Establish clear deliverables and business needs before selecting development partners.Iterate and Improve: Launch first, then refine based on user feedback and post-launch reviews.Collaborate Effectively: Work closely with translation and development partners to integrate workflows seamlessly into internal systems.Don’t Miss This Episode!This conversation is a goldmine of insights for anyone working on public sector digital transformation, multilingual content strategies, or engaging international and domestic audiences.Subscribe to Transform Gov and receive your personal update for more episodes spotlighting innovation in the public sector. Hit the like button, share this podcast! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.