Library Website Comparison

LSC 548

Authority

Name of Web Site New Bedford Free Public Library Fall River Free Public Library
What is the URL?

http://www.ci.new-bedford.ma.us/

SERVICES/LIBRARY/library2.htm

 http://www.sailsinc.org/fallriver/main.htm
Is there a recognizable sponsor of the web site? Who is it? Will it be possible to find background information about this sponsor? There is no obvious sponsor.  The site is put up through the City of New Bedford.   There is no obvious sponsor.  It is hosted  by the SAILS Library Network
Has descriptive information about the sponsor been provided, either on the opening page or via an ìabout usî link? There is no "about us" link  Since there is no obvious sponsor, this doesn't seem necessary. There is no "about us" link  Since there is no obvious sponsor, this doesn't seem necessary.
Is there an address, phone number, or fax number provided for the sponsor? Contact information for the library is on the main page.   Contact information for the library is on the main page.  
Is a personal author identified for the information, articles, or documents presented at the web site? There is a link for questions or suggestions, but no name is given.   This site gives the contact person and email link for the person in charge of maintaining the web-site.  
If an author is identified, is it clear what his/her credentials are? N/A No, it just gives his name.  
Is there a way to contact the author? N/A Yes, they give an email link.  
Will it be possible to find background information about the author? N/A I tried to look around the site to see if there was a staff directory, but I couldn't find one.  

Scope and Purpose

Does the content appear to be fact or opinion? There is no opinion here, just objective information about the library.   This is also objective, and has links that suggest an awareness of community needs, like links to free translators and information about applying for financial aid for education.  
What is the scope or purpose of this web site? This site has the libraries mission statement, information about the library, how to get a library card, links to the catalog and databases. This site also contains information relevant to the community, such as information about GED, MCAS, the book mobile, and other outreach programs the library provides.   This site contains links to the library catalog, friends of the library, services, board of trustees, directions and also information about what services they provide
Does the information presented here seem to be complete and comprehensive? What is included? What is excluded? This is a pretty comprehensive site, but there is no site map.   The database information is also here, but I had to go through three links just to find it referenced.  If I was an untrained user, I wouldn't have had a clue how to find it.  There is no site map for those who need help finding things.  
How can you tell? Is the scope described
  • At the top of the first page?
  • In any help file?
  • In a ìfrequently asked questions or FAQ section?
  • In any other way?
There is no FAQ section, or anything describing the scope.  You need to look around and find it yourself. Just from browsing.  
How does this site compare to similar information elsewhere? This is a good layout, and it seems pretty comprehensive Doesn't look as professional as it should, and the layout seems a little off.  
How is this database structured? Both sites are ibistro.  You have basic searches and advanced.  If you want to reserve something, you must have your library card to access it.  There is also a limited access link for browsing.   Both sites are ibistro.  You have basic searches and advanced.  If you want to reserve something, you must have your library card to access it.  There is also a limited access link for browsing.  
Are there links provided to other sources of information on this same topic? Is it clear how these links are selected? All the links I saw were to pages within the library web-site. Provides links to other sites in Fall River.
Are the links reliable? Do they get you where you need to go? Yes Yes

Accuracy

How accurate is this information? Information seems accurate.   Information seems accurate
How can you tell? The layout is professional, and the content comes from reliable sources The layout is fairly professional, and the content comes from reliable sources.
When statistics and other factual data are presented is it cited so that one can verify it? There is no statistics or data. There is no statistics or data
Are tables, charts, and graphs clear and easy to understand? I didn't see any charts, or graphs I didn't see any charts or graphs.
Is there any bibliography? None None
Is the document generally well-written? Free of spelling mistakes and typographical errors? I didn't see any typos I didn't see any typos.

Objectivity

Check the domain to ascertain possible reasons for the provision of this information
  • ..edu - university, school, or other educational site
  • ..com - company or another commercial site
  • ..gov - government site
  • ..org - nonprofit organization site
  • .~ - usually indicates a personal home page
This domain for this site is a .ma.us.  This is a government sponsored. site.   This is from a .org.  It is hosted by SAILS Library Network. 
Is the subject controversial? If so,
  • Are all sides of the issue presented?
  • Is the presentation too bland?
  • Is there a bias? If so, is it stated up front?
  • Is the information free from advertising?
The subjects of these web-sites does not appear controversial. These sites are just laying out the services and resources of the libraries.  Neither site is controversial.  
Is the information free from advertising? There are no advertisements. There are no advertisements.

Currentness

Are any of the following dates provided?
  • Creation date
  • Post date
  • Revision date
I'm actually surprised that this information is not on the site. This site does not have that information either.  
When was this site last updated? How can you tell? Is there any information on how often the site is updated? Can't tell Can't tell.
What was updated? Can't tell Can't tell.
How does the creation of the database stay current? The databases are all automated.  Library catalogs are updated as items are added to the collection.  The periodical databases are from outside companies, and are presumably very current.  The same applies for this site.  
In cases where there is statistical data or factual data is it indicated when that data was gathered? N/A N/A
Does the information seem out of date? No.  Although I can't tell when it was last updated, it seems current. This site also seems pretty current.
How stable is this site, its address and its information? Is it here today and gone (or moved) tomorrow? This site should be stable. This site appears stable.  

Arrangement and Format

How easy is it to find and use this site? I googled New Bedford Public library, and found the site very easily. I googled Fall River Public Library, and the site was the first one listed.
How convenient is it? Easy to get to. Easy to get to.
How well-organized? Very well laid out. But no site map. Could be better.  As I mentioned above, it should be more obvious how to access the databases.  Needs a site map.
How quickly can you usually get to this site? Get around the site? I didn't have any problems.   Getting to this site was easy, but getting around it seemed a little more difficult.  
How appropriate is the format of the database for its intended audience? The catalog is fine, layout is good. The web-site was a little confusing, but the library catalog is well laid out.  
Does the information seem out of date? No No
Are there any hardware, software, or multimedia requirements? No, very easy to load. Same...pretty simple site.  

Design Considerations

Does it function well with different browsers? Seems like there wouldn't be a problem. I think the site will be fine. 
Is too much filler used? The page is a little busy, but it is fine. No...maybe there isn't enough filler.
Is it obvious when you leave to a different site? Yes.  There aren't many external links. Yes.  They make it pretty clear.  

Layout Considerations

Enough white space? There is enough white space, without looking empty. There is no white space.
Overdone styles? No. The site is clear and concise.   Some of the background images are distracting.
Too many links? There were a lot of links, which may be overwhelming to someone who doesn't know where to go, but they seem good.  No, there aren't.
Links with too many words? No. No.
Textual descriptions too brief or too long? There aren't any descriptors for the links, which might actually be bad. The layout makes it difficult to follow, but the descriptors are not too long.  
Use of color? They have a nice layout. It needs more consistency from link to link.  

Graphics

Do the graphics relate to the surrounding text? Yes. Yes. 
Do the graphics provide important information? Not really. Nope.
Does the size of the graphics relate to the page content? Yes.  The graphics are well integrated. The only graphics are at the top of each page, and are not consistent in size, even if it is the same image, which looks weird.
Are pictures missing? No. No.
What is the quality of the graphics? The graphics are high quality, and there is a nice little flash image on the bottom that shows different pictures of the city and the library. They are sketches, not really pictures.  
How long does it take for the graphics to display? I had no problem The graphics were fine.
Are textual descriptions of graphics provided when a text-based browser is used? I don't have a tex-only browswer, but looking at the html, each img src also hasl an IMG Alt. There is no IMG Alt for these pictures.  
Are the textual descriptions appropriate? Yes. N/A

Help Information

Is ìhelpî provided? There is no help. There is no help.
Is ìhelpî information easy to find? N/A N/A
How helpful is the ìhelpî information? N/A N/A
If ìhelpî isn't provided, should it be provided? Yes, for inexperienced users. Yes, because it is confusing.  

Feedback Information

Are opportunities for feedback provided? Yes. They give an email for questions or comments. Yes, they give you an email for questions and comments and the name of the person to contact.  
Are feedback opportunities easy to find? It is on the main page It is on the main page.  

Overall Feel and Look

How well organized is the site? This site seems organized.  The side bar links you to all the main sections of the site that you would want to.   This site is more confusing.  If you stumble around enough, you'll find things.  I think if they laid things out more effiecently, then the site would be much more user friendly.  There is a lot of scrolling on the first page, which I don't like.  You have to read through too much stuff to know where to go.
Are the pages consistent from page to page? Some of the logos for the library are different from site to site.   The backround style changes a lot, and some of the watermark images make it difficult to see the text.  
How easy is it to locate important information? The site is very direct, but needs a site map. This site needs a little more organization, and a site map.
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1=poor, 10=superior), rate each web site. 8.5 7
Briefly describe why you rated each as you did. The layout was clear, and all the main things one would want to look for are linked from the main page. The site needs to be more organized and more professional in appearance.