The official website for Dartmouth Public Libraries changed websites several years ago, but the former website’s URL has been purchased and is now a fake website.

The old website, www.dartmouthpubliclibraries.org, was replaced with the shorter, easier to type URL www.dplma.org. However, the former site remains active.

Director of Libraries Lynne Antunes said the old site now belongs to someone in Panama, and it’s likely the purchaser is hoping to make money by having the library buy the old website back.

The fake website contains two blog-style entries – one about popular musical instruments and the other about dog training. Near the bottom of the page are icons that link back to the real Dartmouth Library website, making the fake website appear legitimate.

Typing “Dartmouth Public Libraries” into a search engine could lead users to find both sites. The library is advising those searching for the official website to be mindful of the URL. The address should read www.dplma.org.

The real website also features a lavender banner at the top of the page with white lettering. The real site also features the entire street address of the Southworth Library, which is 732 Dartmouth St., MA 02748.

The fake website has a smaller blue banner at the top and does not feature the complete street address of the library.