Overview
The Independence County Library has served Batesville, Arkansas and the surrounding area since 1948. Located in the historic Barnett Building on Main Street, in historic downtown Batesville, the library offers resources for all ages, including a huge selection of books, e-books, research and genealogy tools for the benefit and enjoyment of residents and businesses in Independence County. The library in Batesville also offers educational, family-friendly community programs and events.
The Independence County Library approached us in 2024 to help bring their web presence up to date, increase functionality and user engagement. Starting our relationship with the library slowly, we first brought their existing, aging site under our care, performed necessary web site maintenance and made incremental improvements. In 2026, it was time to fully update and refresh their existing digital experience. Their previous website was built on Drupal and had served the library well for many years, but as their needs continued evolving, they needed a more flexible, user-friendly platform and a refreshed design.
The redesign project focused on transitioning the library from Drupal to WordPress while maintaining the familiar structure for existing users and staff. One of the key requirements that we were able to address is the ability for internal staff to update and maintain the web site without having to reach out for web site support. We accomplished this by migrating their existing site from Drupal to WordPress. Drupal is a first-class web site platform, but we recommended a CMS for the library that would better meet their specific needs.
Focus
The library’s existing website had become outdated in both design and functionality. As a public resource with frequent updates, events and online tools, they needed a web site that was easier to manage and better suited for everyday use.
Solution
We deployed a complete WordPress web site redesign focused on usability, accessibility and long-term maintenance.
The project included:
- Full site redesign and WordPress development
- Migration from Drupal to WordPress
- Mobile-first layout and responsive design improvements
- Integration of external catalogs and resource links
- Google Calendar integration for daily events and programs
- Better navigation while preserving the existing site structure
- Updated photography of the library
Rather than creating a disruptive change, the redesign built upon the library’s existing foundation and structure, creating a smoother transition for both visitors and staff.
Outcome
Independence County Library launched with a new modernized web site that better supports their daily needs and provides a user-friendly experience for the community.
The new WordPress platform gives the library more flexibility and control over updates, while the refreshed design improves accessibility and makes important resources easier to find.
The redesign project demonstrates that organizations are never permanently locked into their existing web site platform. At Rocket Concepts, we help businesses and organizations evaluate their current tools and content management platforms, migrate when ready and create a digital experience built around their actual needs.