Library Web site Comparison

LSC 548

Authority

Name of Web Site (Name of First Library Web Site) (Name of Second Library Web Site)
What is the URL?  http://www.derry.lib.nh.us/  http://www.geocities.com/wolcottlibrary/
Is there a recognizable sponsor of the web site? Who is it? Will it be possible to find background information about this sponsor?  The Derry Public Library and no one else. Not applicable
 Looks as though Geocities part of Yahoo might be a sponsor their ads are up and down the side bars  on opening page. Probably can find out information about geocities on Yahoo
Has descriptive information about the sponsor been provided, either on the opening page or via an “about us” link?  No . There is no "about us" site. There is a "contact site"
  No. There is no "about us" site
Is there an address, phone number, or fax number provided for the sponsor?  Not Applicable
   Not Applicable
Is a personal author identified for the information, articles, or documents presented at the web site?     No
      No
If an author is identified, is it clear what his/her credentials are?     N/A
      N/A
Is there a way to contact the author? There is a "web master" but  there is no name attached
     N/A
Will it be possible to find background information about the author?       N/A
      N/A 

Scope and Purpose

Does the content appear to be fact or opinion? Fact  Fact 
What is the scope or purpose of this web site?  It tells of all the items and  library materials you can take out at the Derry Public Library and has connections and links to community events as well as all programs surrounding the Library including points of interests. They also have an "Ask  the Librarian" e-mail.
  Has limited information  including hours, phone numbers and fax numbers when going to the next page  then there ids something called "iCONN.org" that hooks you up with the Main Library System of Connecticut which gives the patron a  vast digital library.
Does the information presented here seem to be complete and comprehensive? What is included? What is excluded?  Yes,  more so than the Connecticut Library.
 Yes, but fairly limited on first page you need to go to the second and third page to get to the  "core" information.
How can you tell? Is the scope described
  • At the top of the first page?
  • In any help file?
  • In a “frequently asked questions or FAQ section?
  • In any other way?
 On this site there are side bars and top bars for links to important sites and information.
  The Wolcott Library site is weak in this department. Could navigate quickly but not much information is supplied until  you search through pages. No direct side bars for access.
How does this site compare to similar information elsewhere?  Compared to Providence Public Library site, this relatively small New Hampshire site holds up.   The web site is well thought out and gives you pages for kids as well as teens and all the special items and materials the library offers.
  Poorly constructed and  lacking a polished look. Does not offer allot in the way of help and has some informational links, but needs some help. I do like the iCONN.org option!
How is this database structured?  Seems to be based on the " high-level blueprint phase or high-level architecture phase" Rosenfeld refers to in Information Architecture. Almost like a bill board or "subsite" type database.
  Geocities supplied the design of database for Wolcott Library similar to a "works" program, very basic. iCONN is more advanced and  highly structured.
Are there links provided to other sources of information on this same topic? Is it clear how these links are selected?  Yes. There is no clear way of knowing how these links have been chosen.
  Yes. There is no clear way of knowing how these links have been chosen.
Are the links reliable? Do they get you where you need to go?  Yes
  Yes

Accuracy

How accurate is this information? Very accurate   Very accurate
How can you tell?  Updated links  and web site  June 17,2004. My sister lives and Derry and says the library strives to be as accurate as possible with their web site
  Updated links and they have  closed July 5,2004 on opening page. There are no dead links and the Connecticut web pages to other libraries are accurate.
When statistics and other factual data are presented is it cited so that one can verify it?  Yes. They have a web counter as well as links to other libraries who most likely store data. (As well as their own)  Yes. They have a web counter as well as links to other libraries who most likely store data. (As well as their own)
Are tables, charts, and graphs clear and easy to understand?  Yes  Yes
Is there any bibliography?  Not that is displayed
  There is something referred to as "Bibliomation" but this an  option to retrieve data.
Is the document generally well written? Free of spelling mistakes and typographical errors?  Yes
 Yes

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
  .us  .com
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?
  N/A  N/A
Is the information free from advertising?  Yes No 

Currentness

Are any of the following dates provided?
  • Creation date
  • Post date
  • Revision date
 **The staff of the Derry Public Library has developed a variety of web pages with recommended links in order to facilitate use of the Internet. Users should recognize, however, that the Library is not responsible for changes to the content of linked sites, nor for the content of sources accessed through subsequent links.

The content and links found at this site are provided solely as a service to our patrons and staff. Our selection does not grant users the right to do anything other than view, print, or download material at the linked site. Derry Public Library can not fully vouch for the reliability of sites to which we link. A provided link is not to be taken as an endorsement or approval of the linked site, or of material on that site, or of those sites' organizations. The Derry Public Library accepts no form of sponsorship when choosing links. Our links are regularly evaluated and updated.

Guidelines for inclusion of a link are:
  • Content is free, or largely free, and there is no obligation to purchase items
  • Advertising is not overly intrusive
  • The site has been created by an identified content authority and is updated appropriately
  • No registration or passwords are required
  • Except for AdobeReader, RealPlayer and other free downloads, special software is not required
  • Links are selective rather than comprehensive
  • The Derry Public Library retains the sole right to accept or reject suggestions for inclusion     ** Taken directly from their home web page. ( I thought this was appropriate to place here because it gives some of the information on how they come up with their updates as well as their decisions on how and why they chose some of their sites as well as a "disclaimer" of sorts for this day in age of such a litigious society.)
 The only place I see actual dates are when you get to the State of Connecticut homepage. News is up to date and current. (They even have "Lotto" numbers posted.) The Wolcott Library  homepage however does not show any current information or updating except that they were closed for the 4th of July holiday on the 5th. No signs of revision dates. iCONN and the State of Connecticut page are constantly updated.
When was this site last updated? How can you tell? Is there any information on how often the site is updated? June 24,2004 It's listed at the bottom of the page. It says it will be closed July 5, 2004 for the holiday, but this is bold face across the top of page not just under " Holiday Closings". There is no information on how often it is updated.   N/A
What was updated?  The front page , the new book list and the current events.
  N/A
How does the creation of the database stay current?  Please see above blurb.
  Not sure. Not enough  information is given.
In cases where there is statistical data or factual data is it indicated when that data was gathered?  No  No
Does the information seem out of date?  No not at all. Most is current and up to date.
  No all seem to be as current as the State of Conn. page as well as iCONN page. The Wolcott homepage has their "New Book List " for July listed.
How stable is this site, its address and its information? Is it here today and gone (or moved) tomorrow?  I think it seems as if the site has been here for years and not planning on changing it's address any time soon people check out materials online all the time at this site.
   I think it seems as if the site has been here for years and not planning on changing it's address any time soon people check out materials online all the time at this site.

Arrangement and Format

How easy is it to find and use this site? I simply typed in Derry Public Library in Netscape search bar and it popped up. So easy.  Easy to find/ Not so easy to use. Was not happy with their layout .
How convenient is it?  Very  Somewhat
How well organized?  Extremely well organized and visually appealing.
  Needs help
How quickly can you usually get to this site? Get around the site?  Quickly  Quickly
How appropriate is the format of the database for its intended audience?  Great/ Medium to Large city
  Good for small community that can branch into larger surrounding areas  Like Hartford etc.
Does the information seem out of date?  No  No
Are there any hardware, software, or multimedia requirements?  No, not that I'm aware of  most programs these days ask that you use at least a 98' or better  No , not that I'm aware of  most programs these days ask that you use at least a 98' or better

Design Considerations

Does it function well with different browsers?  Yes Yes 
Is too much filler used?  No No 
Is it obvious when you leave to a different site?  No  Yes

Layout Considerations

Enough white space?  Yes Too Much 
Overdone styles?  No  Yes
Too many links?  No  Too Few
Links with too many words? No   No
Textual descriptions too brief or too long?  No  No
Use of color?  Yes, but  consistent
  Yes, but  too many different variations

Graphics

Do the graphics relate to the surrounding text? There are not too many graphics there is one of the library on opening page   Yes  found on the "Kids Catalog Website" They are actually quite good for the page. Gives it some interest for the" kids eye" or point of view. iCONN.org has great graphics, simple yet effective on their opening page.
Do the graphics provide important information?  More for style and design  rather than information
  They are more for style and design rather than information.
Does the size of the graphics relate to the page content?  Yes , opening page is about the Library and surrounding area and there is a picture of the Library
  Yes it does and it actually helps the children to navigate around the page.
Are pictures missing?  No  No
What is the quality of the graphics?  Very high resolution /pixels are better on this website than some I've seen
  Quality of graphics is good to great! They did some work on  the kids catalog  page.
How long does it take for the graphics to display?  Are there when you open page / instantaneous
  Takes a few seconds, but loads quite fast after that.
Are textual descriptions of graphics provided when a text based browser is used?  No there is no "Bobby" approval on this site for graphics one of the only lacking qualities of this site.
  There is no "Bobby " approval on this site; but, on the iCONN site there is when you go to the graphic the text changes to the side of the graphic (right side).
Are the textual descriptions appropriate?  N/A  Yes, they are precise and accurate.

Help Information

Is “help” provided?  YES  YES
Is “help” information easy to find?  YES  NO
How helpful is the “help” information?  VERY GOOD
  GOOD
If “help” isn't provided, should it be provided?  N/A  Once you get to the "help" under the ICONN.org page then you can get reasonable help.

Feedback Information

Are opportunities for feedback provided? YES 
Are feedback opportunities easy to find?  YES NO 

Overall Feel and Look

How well organized is the site? I thought this site was well organized and well thought out is easy to follow and get to the information you need  This site in comparison to the Derry NH site was poorly constructed until you got to the last page in site. 
Are the pages consistent from page to page?  Yes, and well thought out structurally.
  No almost every page had a different color background. I found this to be annoying.
How easy is it to locate important information?  EXTREMELY EASY
   EASY ONCE YOU GET TO THE THIRD PAGE OF SITE
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1=poor, 10=superior), rate each web site.           8
           5
Briefly describe why you rated each as you did.  Overall the Derry NH site was just thought out better created more structurally sound and easy to navigate done in a great  and easy format. Inforamtion was right at your finger tips. Strong graphics
  Site really needs some professional help! Poorly laid out and visually unappealing. Information was good once you got to the correct page. In need of graphics.