Library Website Comparison

LSC 548

Authority

Name of Web Site
Ambrose F. Keeley Library - BMC Durfee High School
Brockton High School Library/Media Department
What is the URL?
www.sailsinc.org/Durfee/
www.brocktonpublicschools.com/schools/high/irc.html
Is there a recognizable sponsor of the web site? Who is it? Will it be possible to find background information about this sponsor?
Yes - SAILS Library Network; one can either use the link provided on the Keeley Library homepage or search the internet to find background information on SAILS.
Although it is set up with a URL akin to a commercial site, it seems that the site is sponsored by the Brockton Public School System; there is a link back to the system's website. One can also search for the Brockton public schools online for more information.
Has descriptive information about the sponsor been provided, either on the opening page or via an ìabout usî link?
There is a link to the SAILS site on the bottom of the homepage.
There is a link at the top of the Brockton High page to get to the public school pages.
Is there an address, phone number, or fax number provided for the sponsor?
There is not one directly on the Keeley Library site, but by utilizing the link they provide, the contact information is easily located: SAILS Library Network, 547 West Grove Street, Suite 4, Middleboro, MA 02346.
It is a little tricky to find contact information for the Brockton School Deptartment. If one uses the link from the library page, it brings up the school district site. At this point, if 'Contact' is clicked on, it gives an e-mail address for the webmaster of the district site. One would have to use the 'Schools' link to get a phone number for the specific school in the district for a jumping off point. The number for the high school is: 508-580-7633.
Is a personal author identified for the information, articles, or documents presented at the web site?
Ronald Bettencourt
No specific name is given in terms of site manufacturing or maintenance, but Alan Jolly is listed as the director of the library.
If an author is identified, is it clear what his/her credentials are?
Ronald Bettencourt is the Cataloger for the library, but no other credentials are evident.
Again, Alan Jolly is the director of the library, but it is unclear as to who put together the website and what their credentials are.
Is there a way to contact the author?
bettencourt@meganet.net
Alan Jolly can be reached at: 508-580-7551.
Will it be possible to find background information about the author?
It would most likely be possible to obtain background information about Mr. Bettencourt by either contacting him directly via e-mail or contacting the school.
Background information about Alan Jolly could most likely be gotten by either calling him or the school.

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 appears to be set up to provide to people (students, staff, and the community at large) generalized library, school, town, and other information, as well as access to information when they are unable to go to the library.
From examining the site, it looks as though it was established to inform students about the library, its program and services offered, as well as grant access to information of interest to teenagers and teachers.
Does the information presented here seem to be complete and comprehensive? What is included? What is excluded?
This is a very thorough site. It includes an online catalog, database & journal search, Internet searching options, curriculum links, links to the Durfee homepage, instructional & course related resourses, current library issues, a link to SAILS, recommended reading lists, local history, and a link to the Fall River public school site. There are two missing aspects that perhaps should be included in the site; there is no mission statement or philosophy for the library, and no library statistics are mentioned.
The information presented on the site is as follows: Internet Use policy, the philosophy of the library, a program description, information on the TV studio, and links to teacher and student resources, including job and car related links. There is no online catalog, and information on the site is very superficial.
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?
This interpretation of what the site is about is completely based on viewing the site. There is no specific scope defined anywhere within the site. The only clue into how the creator and the school community view the library is the subtitle that is given on the homepage - "The Information Center of BMC Durfee High School." This can be interpreted as a simple statement of what the name is, or it can be seen on a deeper level, as this is where to get access to information.
There is a philosophy of the media center program on the site, but there is no specific scope for the website mentioned. The above information is based on user observance alone.
How does this site compare to similar information elsewhere?
The information given on the site is very complete, more so than that found on other high school media center sites. The site utilizes many outside links, therefore the information it houses is also similar university, government, and other educational sites.
In comparison to other high school media center sites, this one does not go into great detail on any given topic. It seems to gloss over information and does not allow patrons to "use" the library from home.
How is this database structured?
The datebase consists of tables to divide information into categories, and then there are a series of links to access the intended information. Also, the main topics are arranged alphabetically.
There are a series of links arranged in seemingly no particular order. Upon viewing the site, it appears that there are columns to navigate, but the source of the site shows that the information is divided up into tables.
Are there links provided to other sources of information on this same topic? Is it clear how these links are selected?
There are numerous links to other sources, although how the links were selected is not defined.
The site consists mainly of links to other sources. No selection criteria is listed as to how these additional resources were chosen.
Are the links reliable? Do they get you where you need to go?
Yes; also, a reference is made if there have been modifications to the site or in how one is routed to the site.
No. Most of the links are inactive, although the intended sites still exist if accessed through another means.

Accuracy

How accurate is this information?
Extremely detailed and accurate.
The information about the library itself seems accurate, but it is unclear as to what information the other sites connected to it offer, since the links do not work.
How can you tell?
The external links are all to professional, scholarly, primary sources that can easily be verified.
The titles for the links show highly used and recommended sites that have verifiable information, but one can not access these sites from the Brockton library page.
When statistics and other factual data are presented is it cited so that one can verify it?
The only statistics given are not related to the Keeley Library and are found on sites linked to the main page; the information specifically on the Keeley site has no citations.
 No citations are made concerning information specific to the library; all other information would potentially be found via external links.
Are tables, charts, and graphs clear and easy to understand?
They are set up to be extremely user-friendly and easy to read and interpret. Alphabetical order most of the time also facilitates ease of use and understanding of page relationships.
Information is presented in one centered column, which is easily understood. However, there is no indictated reasoning as to how the information is displayed (no order is evident).
Is there any bibliography?
No.
No.
Is the document generally well-written? Free of spelling mistakes and typographical errors?
Yes, it is well-written in terms of both style and grammar. Pertinent information is presented in such a way to interest readers.
There is very limited text, but what does exist is free of typos and is generally well-written, if not altogether too interesting.

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 is a .org site. It is sponsored by a nonprofit organization (SAILS) that deals with many libraries in the area.
The URL leads one to believe that this is a branch off of a commercial site. Since this is sponsored by the school district, it may need further investigation. Perhaps using .com was the only way the district could launch their site?
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?
No controversial information is given on the site. It is simple, straightforward, unbiased information.
There is nothing controversial on the site.
Is the information free from advertising?
For the most part; when one accesses the 'Course Resources,' a pop-up for Tripod/Angelfire appears on the left-hand side of the screen, but it can be closed and does not appear again.
There are no advertisements present on the site.

Currentness

Are any of the following dates provided?
  • Creation date
  • Post date
  • Revision date
No dates with those titles are given. There is a date for most recent update (see below) and the copyright is from 1996-2004, prompting one to think that the site began in some capacity circa 1996.
No dates are given on the site or within the source.
When was this site last updated? How can you tell? Is there any information on how often the site is updated?
May 5, 2004, was the last update. It is clearly stated at the bottom of the homepage. There is no indication as to how often the site is updated.
No date is given.
What was updated?
For the most part, it is undetermined what was updated. By looking at the site map, it was determined that at least the 'Internet Search Engines' was added, indicated by the "new" logo next to the title.
Unknown.
How does the creation of the database stay current?
This could not be found. The externally linked sites are seemingly updated according to their own schedule, and the site maintains active links to them, however.
This could not be found, although it is clear that there is not a strict policy on this, since even the links are not current.
In cases where there is statistical data or factual data is it indicated when that data was gathered?
No timeframe was given.
No timeframe was given.
Does the information seem out of date?
The information all seems up-to-date.
The information about the library seems current, but the inactive links indicate that the other information may be dated.
How stable is this site, its address and its information? Is it here today and gone (or moved) tomorrow?
Everything seems to be operational and stable.
The site will exist as long as it is attached to the Brockton school site, but information branching off of it disappears. An extremely unstable site.

Arrangement and Format

How easy is it to find and use this site?
Fairly easy to find, extremely easy to use due to its good organization.
Fairly easy to find, frustrating to navigate. There is no order to the site and it is poorly maintained.
How convenient is it?
Very convenient; it can be accessed from any computer by any user.
It does not seem convenient since much of the information it offers is inaccessible.
How well-organized?
Extremely well-organized in an easily interpreted set-up.
Not very well-organized. There is no indication as to why topics are arranged in the way they are.
How quickly can you usually get to this site? Get around the site?
The site itself can be found quickly, and navigation is as quick as the user. Everything is straightfoward.
The site can be found rather quickly, but users can get bogged down in the navigation. Topics are hidden within obsure headings. One would need to figure out that 'Links' will get them to most of the relevant information.
How appropriate is the format of the database for its intended audience?
It is appropriate for all the users it serves- teenagers, teachrers, and the public - based on set-up and language.
It is a very simple, yet scattered, format. It is intended primarily for students and then for teachers; chances are good that students will get confused and frustrated by the site, and teachers will be appalled.
Does the information seem out of date?
No.
Yes.
Are there any hardware, software, or multimedia requirements?
None that were encountered.
There may be some server compatibility issues for a few of the links, but the rest of it should be able to work with any system.

Design Considerations

Does it function well with different browsers?
Yes.
It functions the same with different browswers, not necessarily well.
Is too much filler used?
No.
No.
Is it obvious when you leave to a different site?
Yes.
Yes.

Layout Considerations

Enough white space?
A well-balanced amount of white space.
Too much white space on each page.
Overdone styles?
No.
No.
Too many links?
A few too many on the homepage, but they are all relevant.
The number of links would be appropriate, but a majority of them do not function properly, which is unacceptable.
Links with too many words?
Two on the homepage are wordy, but the rest are fine.
No.
Textual descriptions too brief or too long?
Adequate in length.
They are appropriate in length, but there is a heading for each link and then the almost identically worded link below it.
Use of color?
The reds are inconsistent from page to page, and the blue that is used for certain headings is too bright on the white background. Everything else is good.
There is an absence of color. Does have random usage of blue, green, and red lettering, but could use more blocks of color.

Graphics

Do the graphics relate to the surrounding text?
Yes.
Yes.
Do the graphics provide important information?
No; they support the information already presented.
One does - it is a map of the school indicating where the "library" is located; the library is actually separated into four different buildings (which is only explained by the image provided) but maintains one collection.
Does the size of the graphics relate to the page content?
The images are roughly the same size as the related content.
Some of the images are too small and get lost on the page.
Are pictures missing?
No.
No.
What is the quality of the graphics?
Clear; high quality.
Clear; high quality.
How long does it take for the graphics to display?
Instantly with the rest of the page; no delay.
Instantly with the rest of the page; no delay.
Are textual descriptions of graphics provided when a text-based browser is used?
No, just the title of the image.
No, just the title of the image.
Are the textual descriptions appropriate?
The titles define the graphics.
The titles define the graphics.

Help Information

Is ìhelpî provided?
No help is provided on the Keeley Library specific pages. The linked pages have their own "help" areas.
No help is provided on the Brockton Library specific pages.
Is ìhelpî information easy to find?
On the linked pages, yes.
N/A
How helpful is the ìhelpî information?
Very useful on the linked pages.
N/A
If ìhelpî isn't provided, should it be provided?
Yes; it could assist those who need help with navigation, as well as help explain various aspects of the site.
Yes; it would be greatly beneficial with navigation since there is a lack of order to the site.

Feedback Information

Are opportunities for feedback provided?
One could contact Ronald Bettencourt.
One could contact Alan Jolly, who in turn could forward the feedback to the proper person if he is not in charge of the site.
Are feedback opportunities easy to find?
There is nothing specifically labeled 'feedback,' but one could easily contact the creator of the site.
There is nothing specifically labeled 'feedback,' but one could easily contact the library director.

Overall Feel and Look

How well organized is the site?
Very well-organized.
Poorly organized.
Are the pages consistent from page to page?
Yes.
Yes.
How easy is it to locate important information?
Very easy.
Difficult.
On a scale of 1 to 10 (1=poor, 10=superior), rate each web site.
8
4
Briefly describe why you rated each as you did.
It is a good quality site that offers ample information. Perhaps there is a bit too much informtion, which can be overwhelming. Otherwise, it is consistent, accurate, and up-to-date. It is easily found and navigated, and it is nice to look at. There are still of few components that could be added, though, which is why it received an 8.
This site needs a lot of work. It lacks up-to-date information, is difficult to navigate, and is poorly maintained. It does not provide indepth information on any of the topics it covers. From a design standpoint, it is dull. There are very few images, and color is absent from most pages. Although it is consistent and could potentially provide solid, useful informtion to its users, at the present time, this site needs to be better organized and have regular upkeep. These reasons are why the site received a 4 rating.