LSC 548
Authority
| Name of Web Site | American Antiquarian Society | Rhode Island Historical Society |
| What is the URL? | http:www.americanantiquarian.org | http:www.rihs.org/libraryhome.htm |
| Is there a recognizable sponsor of the web site? Who is it? Will it be possible to find background information about this sponsor? | Yes. the AAS. General information is provided on the homepage link About AAS and on the link Under Its Generous Dome- a guidebook to the collections and programs offered by the AAS. | Yes. The Rhode Island Historical Society. There is an about us link available on the homepage. |
| Has descriptive information about the sponsor been provided, either on the opening page or via an “about us” link? | Yes. there is an About Us link. | Yes. Very thorough descriptive information of the sponsor available on the homepage from the about us link. |
| Is there an address, phone number, or fax number provided for the sponsor? | Yes. AAS. 185 Salisbury Street. Worcester, Ma. 01609. 508-755.5221. | Yes. The Research Library 121 Hope Street Providence RI 02906 (401) 273.8107 Fax (401) 751.7390 |
| Is a personal author identified for the information, articles, or documents presented at the web site? | There is no personal author identified | There is no personal author identified |
| If an author is identified, is it clear what his/her credentials are? | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Is there a way to contact the author? | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Will it be possible to find background information about the author? | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Scope and Purpose
| Does the content appear to be fact or opinion? | Factual information based on historical collections | Factual information based on historical collections |
| What is the scope or purpose of this web site? | The scope of the web site is to provide general information on the AAS. To provide access and to search the on-line catalog. Information on collection, programs offerred by the AAS. | The scope and purpose of the site is to provide on-line information to the historical collection that is available at the library and research services available |
| Does the information presented here seem to be complete and comprehensive? What is included? What is excluded? | Information presented is complete and includes all aspects of a library homepage. | A complete and comprehensive catalog of the reference collection. However, the ability to search the on line catalog is excluded. |
How can you tell? Is the scope
described
|
There is general information provided at the top of the homepage, provides links to the catalog, about the collection and programs, publications and fellowships offerred by the Society. | The scope of the RIHS is available on the homepage. |
| How does this site compare to similar information elsewhere? | I feel it is above standard with the caliber of information that is provided. | I feel it is of average caliber.; |
| How is this database structured? | Structured as a homepage with general introduction and links to further information. | Structured as a homepage with the general introduction and links to further information. |
| Are there links provided to other sources of information on this same topic? Is it clear how these links are selected? | Yes, appropriately placed on the homepage are links to other sources on the same topic. For example, ACLS American Council of Learned Societies, ARIAH Association of Reasearch Institutes in Art History, ARC Central Massachusetts Regional Library System Academic and Research Collaborative, IRLA, RLG, Worcester Cultural Coalition. It is obvious that these links were selected due to their historical research content. | Yes. There are internet links to outside sources and to similar areas of interest in historical research. For example, there are links to Rhode Island topics of interest as well as genealogical sites. |
| Are the links reliable? Do they get you where you need to go? | Yes. Viable links. | Yes. Viable links |
Accuracy
| How accurate is this information? | Information is accurate and up to date. | I find the information accurate and up to date. |
| How can you tell? | Online schedule of upcoming colloquia and seminars and public lectures are date specific and up to date. | The homepage has a last revision date of May 27, 2004. Has a list of upcoming holiday closing schedule. |
| When statistics and other factual data are presented is it cited so that one can verify it? | Statistics not available | Not applicable |
| Are tables, charts, and graphs clear and easy to understand? | The only table is the staff telephone and email directory which is a simple table with columns. | Yes. Easy to read three columned tables that are used to delineate member and non-member service fees. |
| Is there any bibliography? | None available | No bibliography |
| Is the document generally well-written? Free of spelling mistakes and typographical errors? | Professional web site that is devoid of any spelling errors and typographical errors. | No spelling or typographical errors noted |
Objectivity
Check the domain to ascertain
possible reasons for the provision of this information
|
.Org which signifies a nonprofit organization | .Org which signifies a nonprofit organization |
Is the subject controversial?
If so,
|
Subject is not controversial. Presents a historical, factual perspective. Presents the life of America from Colonial era through Civil War and Reconstruction. | Subject matter is non contrversial. |
| Is the information free from advertising? | No advertising. | No advertising. |
Currentness
Are any of the following dates
provided?
|
No specific creation, post or revision dates available. | No specific creation, post or revision dates available |
| When was this site last updated? How can you tell? Is there any information on how often the site is updated? | The site was last updated on June 5, 2004 and is posted at the bottom of the homepage. There is no further information on how frequently site gets updated. | The site was last updated on May 27, 2004 whic is posted at the bottom of the homepage. There is no information on how oftenn the site is updated. |
| What was updated? | Link to current activities. | Hours of operation, directions and admission information page, collections, research services, rights and reproductions |
| How does the creation of the database stay current? | Adding new schema changes, fields and elements. | By the addition of new data |
| In cases where there is statistical data or factual data is it indicated when that data was gathered? | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Does the information seem out of date? | Information is current and up to date. | All information appears current |
| How stable is this site, its address and its information? Is it here today and gone (or moved) tomorrow? | Well established web site. | This site was created for the RIHS and very stable |
Arrangement and Format
| How easy is it to find and use this site? | Easily found using any search engine. | Very easy to locate using any search engine and by keying in RIHS |
| How convenient is it? | Very convenient. General and current activity information links are visible and site is very easy to use. | Very convenient to use by researches |
| How well-organized? | Very well oranized site for the wealth of information that is provided. | Well organized and intuitive |
| How quickly can you usually get to this site? Get around the site? | Very easy to follow links and navigate the site. | Information is generally one click away from mainpage and table of contents |
| How appropriate is the format of the database for its intended audience? | I feel the format is appropriate for the intended audience. It has six major links that cover the major topics of interest. | It definitely is presented as a research source |
| Does the information seem out of date? | No | No. Information is current |
| Are there any hardware, software, or multimedia requirements? | No | No |
Design Considerations
| Does it function well with different browsers? | Functions well with Internet Explorer 6.0 | Functions well with Internet Explorer 6.0 |
| Is too much filler used? | No inappropriate filler | Adequate use of white space |
| Is it obvious when you leave to a different site? | yes | Yes |
Layout Considerations
| Enough white space? | Appropriate spacing of text | Adequate use of white space |
| Overdone styles? | Style is appropriate and consistent throughout | One typewriter style used throughout |
| Too many links? | Six major catagory links on homepage | Eight major catagory links on homepage |
| Links with too many words? | Descriptive wording of links are short and concise. | One word links |
| Textual descriptions too brief or too long? | Appropriate use of text bites. | Adequate textual descriptions |
| Use of color? | Nicely colorized in red white and blue scheme on homepage. | Use of two muted colors of gray and blue on white background |
Graphics
| Do the graphics relate to the surrounding text? | Yes. Graphics are of actual photos of the AAS Library and they also depict actual book jacket covers of the historical collection as well as historical drawings and lithographs of early American history. | Very little use of graphics. Black and white drawings |
| Do the graphics provide important information? | Yes. It provides the viewer with examples of the library collection. | No |
| Does the size of the graphics relate to the page content? | Yes. The graphic is laid out alongside the text. It does not overwhelm the page layout. | Small drawings in comparison to page |
| Are pictures missing? | This site has a multitude of interesting pictures. | Very little use of pictures |
| What is the quality of the graphics? | Good quality | Black and white drawings |
| How long does it take for the graphics to display? | Load instantly with page. | Load with page. |
| Are textual descriptions of graphics provided when a text-based browser is used? | Yes | Not applicable |
| Are the textual descriptions appropriate? | Yes | Not applicable |
Help Information
| Is “help” provided? | The “help” link is provided on the catalog basic search page and also on the guided search page. It explains on how to perform a basic search. | No help link is provided |
| Is “help” information easy to find? | I think not. You locate the help link after you choose the search link. This may be confusing to someone unfamiliar with web sites. | Not applicable |
| How helpful is the “help” information? | Very informative and easy to comprehend. Provides step by step instructions on how to do a search. | Not applicable |
| If “help” isn't provided, should it be provided? | Not applicable | Not necessarily due to the fact that there is no search capabilities |
Feedback Information
| Are opportunities for feedback provided? | A question and comment email link is provided at the bottom of each page. | No. There is no email link to contact staff of the library. Any reference or research question must be done by telephone or snail mail. There is a link to contact the web master, however, it is located on the RIHS mainpage and not on the library homepage |
| Are feedback opportunities easy to find? | Yes | Not applicable |
Overall Feel and Look
| How well organized is the site? | I find it to be a very well organized and professionally designed website. | Well organized |
| Are the pages consistent from page to page? | Yes | Yes |
| How easy is it to locate important information? | There is no difficulty in locating information. | Information is easy to find |
| On a scale of 1 to 10 (1=poor, 10=superior), rate each web site. | 10 | 9 |
| Briefly describe why you rated each as you did. | This is definitely a superior website. It is a professional representation of the learned AAS.. | It is a functional website. One major issue would be the fact that there is no online searching available |