Name of Web Site

(Name of First Library Web Site)

Middlesex School Warburg Library

(Name of Second Library Web Site)

Lakeside School Pigott Memorial Library

What is the URL?

 www.middlesex.edu/library.html

 lakesideschool.org/upperschool/library/Lakeside School

Is there a recognizable sponsor of the web site? Who is it? Will it be possible to find background information about this sponsor?

 Middlesex School: much information is provided about the school throughout its site

 Entire site on Lakeside School provides information.

Has descriptive information about the sponsor been provided, either on the opening page or via an ìabout usî link?

 There are elaborate descriptions and links to more information about the Middlesex school.

Links to further information about the Lakeside school are provided.

Is there an address, phone number, or fax number provided for the sponsor?

 E-mails, phone # and fax # are provided for the library.

 Three e-mail addresses for feedback or questions are provided.

Is a personal author identified for the information, articles, or documents presented at the web site?

 No single author is identified.

 No single author identified.

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?

 Extensive access to librariansÝ or staff is offered.

 Access to three e-mail addresses is provided.

Will it be possible to find background information about the author?

 No background information is offered.

 No background information is offered.

Does the content appear to be fact or opinion?

 facts about the library

 facts about the library

What is the scope or purpose of this web site?

 information about the resources of the library

 information about the resources of the library

Does the information presented here seem to be complete and comprehensive? What is included? What is excluded?

 Information seems very complete (directions, access, hours, catalogue, resources, facilities, database, links to online resources,etc. Searching strategies. ÝClear and easy access to information on copyright/plagiarism is missing, though a link on citations is offered.

 Information seems complete, with catalogue and other information for students on plagiarism, copyright and bibliographic instruction.Ý Very good information. Reading suggestions are offered but link does not work.Ý Reference and database links.

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 an online help section for searching. No FAQ or scope described.

 Good information on copyright, the Big Six research method. Helpful hints section included.Ý No FAQ or other scope described.

How does this site compare to similar information elsewhere?

 Similar information provided, but no information on copyright/plagiarism with the exception of a link to online Columbia citation site. The link is not explicit enough for students to understand this important issue.

 Catalog is slow to load, but comprehensive.Ý Good information on copyright and plagiarism is offered.

How is this database structured?

 Catalog with advanced searching options.

 Catalog with advanced searching options.

Are there links provided to other sources of information on this same topic? Is it clear how these links are selected?

 Links are provided but it is not clear how these are selected.

 Links are provided but it is not clear how these are selected.

Are the links reliable? Do they get you where you need to go?

 Links are reliable, but some databases require passwords for access.

 Some links required passwords.Ý Some did not work at all (summer reading).

How accurate is this information?

 N/A

N/A

How can you tell?

 N/A

N/A

When statistics and other factual data are presented is it cited so that one can verify it?

 N/A

N/A

Are tables, charts, and graphs clear and easy to understand?

 N/A

N/A

Is there any bibliography?

 N/A

N/A

Is the document generally well-written? Free of spelling mistakes and typographical errors?

 Site itself is clean and error-free.

Site is clean and error-free.

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

 edu

org

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

No advertising.

N/A

No advertising.

Is the information free from advertising?

 No advertising.

No advertising.

Are any of the following dates provided?

• Creation date
• Post date
• Revision date

 copyright 2000

no creation/revision date

copyright 2004 no creation/revision date

When was this site last updated? How can you tell? Is there any information on how often the site is updated?

 no info

no info

What was updated?

 new books and materials are added to catalogue, but not evident how frequently

 new books and materials are added to catalogue, but not evident how frequently

How does the creation of the database stay current?

 no info offered

no info offered

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

no

How stable is this site, its address and its information? Is it here today and gone (or moved) tomorrow?

 stable

stable

How easy is it to find and use this site?

 very easy to use

 easy to find but cluttered and irritating layout

How convenient is it?

 quite convenient

 moderately convenient

How well-organized?

 very well organized

 horizontal spread of layout, hard to see what youíre searching for, presented unattractively with few graphics and an appearance of disorganization

How quickly can you usually get to this site? Get around the site?

 simple layout of three main pages of categories: online resources, new books, music and film, and online catalogue

 easy to get to and get around, but takes time to peer at the headings and links to determine where theyíre headed

How appropriate is the format of the database for its intended audience?

 extremely user-friendly for high school students to input keywords

 user-friendly for high school students to input keywords

Does the information seem out of date?

 no

 no

Are there any hardware, software, or multimedia requirements?

 no

 Acrobat reader required to see summer list

Does it function well with different browsers?

 yes

yes

Is too much filler used?

 no

 lot of white space, unattractive fonts and excessive scrolling required

Is it obvious when you leave to a different site?

 no

 somewhat

Enough white space?

 yes

 yes , but cluttered

Overdone styles?

 no, an extremely clean design

 need cleaner, more attractive design, alignment of links, better use of colors and/or graphics

Too many links?

 no, simple and useful links are provided

 no, but better layout needed

Links with too many words?

 adequate descriptions

 adequate descriptions

Textual descriptions too brief or too long?

 very concise

 could be more explicit: ìbibliographic citationî brings one to research tips, without clear citation link (must scroll around to the top of the page to find the correct link)

Use of color?

 soothing to the eyes with maroon, black and white

 little color, better use of contrasting colors could enhance the design and make the links cleaner and clearer for the user

Do the graphics relate to the surrounding text?

 yes, different photos of the library

 one small photo on one page is provided

Do the graphics provide important information?

 no

 no

Does the size of the graphics relate to the page content?

 yes, about º page

 yes, about º page

Are pictures missing?

 no

 no

What is the quality of the graphics?

 good, unobtrusive

 only one unattractive, somewhat murky photo of the library

How long does it take for the graphics to display?

 instant

 instant

Are textual descriptions of graphics provided when a text-based browser is used?

no

 no

Are the textual descriptions appropriate?

 N/A

 N/A

Is ìhelpî provided?

 yes

 yes, helpful hints section for research

Is ìhelpî information easy to find?

 yes, clear link

 yes

How helpful is the ìhelpî information?

 very elaborate help information provided as to how to conduct searches

 nice information about conducting research, Bix Six method, worksheet, research models, searching websites tips, plagiarism info

If ìhelpî isn't provided, should it be provided?

 N/A

N/A 

Are opportunities for feedback provided?

 yes/yes

Are feedback opportunities easy to find?

 email to the library

 e-mail to the library

How well organized is the site?

 excellent organization

 poor organization

Are the pages consistent from page to page?

 yes

 consistent but unattractive

How easy is it to locate important information?

 simple to find and access appropriate sources

 takes a while to familiarize oneself with the awkward layout, and scroll in somewhat random fashion throughout the pages

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.

 The attractive layout, ease of access, wealth of information, opportunity for feedback, help offered, good, clean links, make this a clutter-free, pleasant web experience. Lack of information about copyright and plagiarism is a drawback.

 The information on this site is good, but the layout is extremely poor, off-putting, and ìunprofessionalî looking.Ý They could take some pointers fromÝ Middlesexí design and update their site to enhance the ease of their patronsí experience.