How to Use the Web Site

The City of Salem website was designed to make information and services available to you quickly and easiily, and in a variety of ways. Every page has the following elements:

1. Dropdown Link Bar

This feature is the same on every page. It is a logical grouping of all the site's content, generally based on the reasons people might have for visiting the site and what sort of information they hope to find.

2. Navigation Area

The left sidebar is primarily devoted to helping you get around, and providing an overview or quick glimpse of the various offerings of the current page. It has three main sections:

• Divisions/Categories
  This area usually starts with the divisions within the department producing the current page, or a set of top-level categories of information. Below the orange line are navigation items specific to the current page or content category. 
  
• How Do I?
  This is a list of tasks people commonly wish to do when interacting with the given organization, entity or service.
  
• Quick Links
  This is a list of "end targets" or destinations where people often wish to arrive when visiting the site.

3. Footer Links

The horizontal set of choices at the bottom of each page provides many conventional website services and features.

• Comment
  This link provides a feedback form you can use to comment on the page you are currently viewing, or you can use it to make more general comments about how well the website meets your needs. We value all of your views, and require your feedback as we continue to revise and optimize the site.
  
• Print Version
  This will load the page you are currently viewing into a new window with no graphics and minimal visual formatting.
  
• Contact
  A list of all the City of Salem's departments with key contact information and options.
  

4. Contact Us

Each organization offers basic contact options here including phone, postal mail and electronic mail, and possibly a link to more specific contact choices for key services, divisions or functions.

5. Events/Calendar

Many city departments have regular public meetings listed here, plus other occasional meetings or events they organize or participate in.

6. Emergency Information

In the case of an emergency of any sort, check this link to find out details about city traffic, service interruptions or other special instructions or warnings. If there is currently a reported problem, this link will be red and blinking.

7. Search

The Salem website employs Google Public Service , leveraging Google's powerful search technology to help you find the specific information you need.