Public Library Websites Research Articles

An Analysis of Web Pages for School Support Services in Public Library Websites in Japan

ABSTRACT The collaboration between public libraries and school libraries is required for elementary, junior high, and high school students, as well as teachers and staff of schools, from the viewpoints of learning support, reading support, improving their own information literacy, and teaching support. The development, presentation and upkeep of such school support services by public libraries are practically necessary to fulfill such collaboration. It is thought that web pages for school support services are essential to public library websites, not only in Japan but also in the U.S.A., in order to inform people, who are especially involved in education, about the existence of school support services and how to utilize them for school support. Also, it is essential for public libraries to provide users with web pages for school support services, children’s web pages, YA web pages, and web pages for promotion of reading on their own websites, in order to improve school education and social education in local community. Furthermore, a contents model of web pages for school support services is proposed through the results of our recent investigation into the contents of web pages for school support services. This contents model is composed of five kinds of material: (I) information on school support services, (II) information on resource sharing, (III) information on cooperative library programs, (IV) information resources on teaching support and the study of teaching materials for school teachers and staff of schools, (V) information resources on provisions for reading and improvements in student information literacy.

Global Trends in Marketing Technologies to Promote Library Websites

In recent decades, the scope of library activities has changed. In addition to providing traditional resources and services, today libraries themselves are becoming developers of digital content and providers of access to electronic content. The user base of libraries is also undergoing significant changes: there are changing the user generations, employment trends, areas of interest and habits. Realizing that marketing activities can increase user loyalty, form public opinion about both — a particular institution and libraries in general, increase the visibility of library resources and enlarge market share, the most active specialists are adapting marketing to the conditions of libraries operation. In 2019, there was organized the study on the websites of libraries in Russia, Australia, the United States and Canada, Western and Eastern Europe, Latin America, as well as in a number of countries in South and South-East Asia in order to identify the main trends in the organization of library promotion in the Internet environment. There were considered the websites of public, national, University and academic libraries. Library websites were analysed for the use of 10 most common tools in Internet marketing, such as: the transition to a modern web site design, effective linking with social networks, marketing in social networks (Social Media Marketing, SMM), the use of banner advertising, the availability of subscription to e-mailing, the publication of press and post releases, the presence of a blog in the library domain, the availability of content evaluation and sharing tools in social networks. The study conclusion was the identification of trends in the development of library sites over a large area and the compilation of heat maps, which clearly demonstrate such trends, where the libraries of the countries of North America, Australia and Northern Europe showed greater consistency with the parameters selected for the study; Central and Southern Europe, Russia and part of the countries of Latin America are in the transition zone, and the least compliance are found in the countries of South Asia. The most common means of promotion is the publication of press and post releases. Among the least used marketing technologies are blogs in the library domain, embedded video and Internet broadcasts, as well as work on optimizing sites for an audience from social networks.

Encouraging essential skills: How public libraries promote technological literacy in rural communities

Amid rapid technological change and shifting economic activities, the population of many rural British Columbia communities now requires greater development of digital skills. Today’s public libraries offer a range of digital services and, therefore, represent a significant resource for developing such skills. This study identifies the extent to which public libraries are promoting the development of technology skills in rural communities. A qualitative content analysis was conducted on technology program promotional messaging from rural public library websites in British Columbia. Results showed that these rural libraries are indeed promoting technology programs in a way that focuses on technology skill development as an emerging role. With that said, additional measures can be taken to further refine current messaging, and this study offers several recommendations towards that end.

Opening the Conversation: How Ontario Public Library Websites Frame Disability

Public library websites are an early point of contact for the community. These sites are the library’s voice when queried by current and potential patrons about services and resources. For those with disabilities, this conversation may include questions around accessibility. This research investigates Ontario public library websites for accessibility information to answer the question, ‘How is disability defined by Ontario public libraries?.’ Fifteen Ontario public library websites were analyzed through a critical disability framework. Findings indicate a broader framing of accessibility than in previous research using more of a social model, with some instances of disability framed as a binary.

Accessibility of Internet Based Electronic Resources: A Content Analysis of Public and Private University Library Websites in Bangladesh

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the websites of university libraries to ascertain that libraries are effectively utilizing their respective websites to provide easy access to all electronic resources available in the library. The objective was also to a represent a comparative analysis between public and private university library websites regarding the presence of electronic resources with their easy access via the internet. For the purpose of this study, a research instrument in the form of comprehensive checklist of eighteen e-resources was developed to evaluate their accessibility in the websites of public and private university libraries. Twenty university library websites, comprised of ten top-ranked public and ten top-ranked private universities in Bangladesh, were studied for data collection using content analysis method. The findings demonstrate that the presence of e-resources on selected university library websites is still in its early stage, but it has been growing rapidly. The private university library websites are ahead of public university libraries in terms of the integration of web-resources. It is hoped that the findings of this paper will serve to assist the University librarians and other similar institutions in choosing, selecting and acquiring the most appropriate format of information resources, and making these available to their websites, which will both satisfy the needs of their library users and fit within their library budget.

The Present Status of Web Pages for School Support in Japanese Public Library Websites and Their Significance

The Present Status of Web Pages for School Support in Japanese Public Library Websites and Their Significance

Transformation of public library websites in Indonesia

PurposeThis paper aims to observe the province’s public library websites in Indonesia and to give some recommendation about knowledge portal website that can support the creation and invention of knowledge.Design/methodology/approachData and information were gathered by observing library websites at the provincial level to see the digital survey and collection. This survey includes 34 province public library websites in the period from August 1 to 15, 2017. As the survey focuses on the availability of online digital collections, availability of digital services such as the user can have conversation with the librarian through a chat reference service, the availability of trusted external information sources, the availability of user forums for discussion.FindingsThe result of the research showed that the public library websites in Indonesia are still static (less interactive) and only give standard information about the library services, its operational hours, contact numbers and their collection. According to the result, it is recommended for every public library transforms its website into a knowledge portal website that can give a real and direct effect to the users, especially in the creation of innovation.Originality/valueThis paper also recommends a framework for a knowledge portal that includes e-resources, user needs, partnership, internet resources, integrated OPAC and collaboration. A survey on a library website is rarely conducted in Indonesia; therefore, this result will be beneficial for developing library websites.

Evaluation of Websites of Public Libraries of India under Ministry of Culture: A Webometric Analysis

Evaluation of Websites of Public Libraries of India under Ministry of Culture: A Webometric Analysis

Libraries of Babel: exploring library language and its suitability for the community

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine the different aspects of language that are present in the signage, handouts and websites of public libraries. It discusses the extent to which this language reflects the varying demographics of library clients.Design/methodology/approachThis paper reports on a qualitative study, which took a document analysis approach and utilised an inductive-coding technique to analyse data collected from four lower North Island libraries in New Zealand.FindingsFive language aspects were identified from the collected data: monolingual, bilingual and multilingual language; language context; welcoming and prohibitive language; language consistency; and jargon. The nature and incidence of these aspects were evaluated for each of the four libraries. In some cases, the libraries achieve an accurate reflection of client demographics through their language. However, each library could make some changes to their use of language to better accommodate their distinct communities.Practical implicationsThis paper suggests that modifying library language to better reflect client demographics will contribute to an atmosphere of inclusion, welcome and acceptance. Such an atmosphere will promote information access for all members of the community. Recommendations for change are made, as well as suggestions for future research.Originality/valueThis paper contributes to the body of knowledge on communication and language in libraries, particularly in a New Zealand context where there is a paucity of research on this topic. This paper benefits libraries and clients by identifying patterns, contrasts and potential improvements.

The Book and the Rocket: The Symbiotic Relationship between American Public Libraries and the Space Program, 1950–2015

Abstract This article argues that America’s public library system and the space program forged a symbiotic relationship during the space age, a development that galvanized reading and gave rise to interactive outer space experiences in the nation’s libraries. As humanity set out to explore the heavens, librarians and space proponents joined forces to mobilize support for orbital activities and educate the public about outer space through books, films, astronaut forums, exhibits, experiments, circulating telescopes, and immersive learning events. The article draws upon popular newspapers, library trade journals, NASA and space science association documents, and public library web sites.

The Availability of Access for User with Disability on Digital Library

There is necessity of attention to the availability of access for user with disability not only because it is right for them, but also their number in Indonesia showed a tendency to increase every year. Many things can cause the increase in number of people with disability in Indonesia, like congenital defects, genetic factors, and infectious diseases as well as accidents. The users with disability that is having difficulty in doing some activities, such as reading or writing in the form of a normal post, difficulty in hearing or speaking, and having obstacles in using electronic media used by normal people, desperately need support tools in order to access the collection or information in digital form. This study aims to identify the availability of access for user with disability in the digital library. The method of this research is descriptive, which tries to analyze digital library display on websites of public libraries in five major cities of Indonesia. Based on the research, we can see that almost none digital library that accommodates information needs of people with disability, even some websites, still not easy to access by normal users. In future, digital library should give a better service not only to normal users but also to users with disability.

Investigating the usefulness of machine translation for newcomers at the public library

This study investigates the potential of machine translation as an efficient and cost-effective means to translate sections of the Ottawa Public Library website into Spanish to better meet the linguistic needs of the Spanish-speaking newcomer community. One-hundred and fourteen community members participated in a recipient evaluation survey, in which they evaluated four different versions of a translated portion of the library’s website — a professional human translation, a maximally post-edited machine translation, a rapidly post-edited machine translation, and a raw machine translation. Participants also considered metadata such as the time and cost required to produce each version. Findings show that while machine translation cannot address every need, there are some instances for which the faster and cheaper post-edited versions are considered useful and acceptable to the community.

Adult Readers’ Advisory Services through Public Library Websites

Public libraries have implemented Readers’ Advisory (RA) services and outreach efforts online in a variety of formats, ranging from one-way communications such as book club announcements and reading lists to interactions with individual patrons about their reading preferences. While the literature contains numerous case studies describing online RA activities and extensive recommendations for practice, what is lacking is a broad, generalizable picture of what percentage of libraries are offering online RA, what types of public libraries are most likely to do so, and what types of online RA efforts have been implemented. Using a random sample of 369 public libraries, this study examined library websites for evidence of RA and analyzed library characteristics that were associated with a higher likelihood of offering these services.

Urban Public Libraries Do Not Yet Meet Benchmarks for Web Accessibility by Individuals with Disabilities

A Review of:
 Maatta Smith, S. L. (2014). Web Accessibility Assessment of Urban Public Library Websites. Public Library Quarterly, 33(3), 187-204. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2014.937207 
 
 Abstract
 
 Objective – To determine the extent to which urban public libraries in the United States of America provide web sites which are readily accessible to individuals with disabilities with reference to the Urban Library Council’s EDGE initiative (specifically Benchmark 11, “Technology Inclusiveness”).
 
 Design – Web site evaluation.
 
 Setting – Urban public libraries in the United States of America.
 
 Subjects – The 127 library systems, which were both members of the Urban Libraries Council at the time of the study and located in the United States of America.
 
 Methods – Using the “everyday life information seeking” conceptual framework, an assessment of each of the web sites of the purposive sample of public library systems was performed by an online evaluation tool as well as visually and physically to determine web accessibility and, by extension, technology inclusiveness. 
 
 Main Results – The results of the online accessibility evaluation tool revealed that not one of the sites surveyed was free of errors or alerts. Contrast errors (related to color combinations), missing alternative text (providing text alternatives for visual elements), and missing form labels (thereby preventing screen readers from performing searches and navigating to results) were the most common problems. Results of visual and physical scans revealed that many sites lacked specific links and/or resources for persons with disabilities, as well as noting that the resources available used oblique language and required many clicks to access. In addition, the vast majority neglected to feature links to national resources such as the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
 
 Conclusions – The web sites of urban public libraries are not yet completely accessible for persons with disabilities. At the very least they need coding fixes and ongoing maintenance to address the kinds of issues found by the online web evaluation tool used. In addition, resources for disabled persons should be prominently and clearly linked and promoted. Further research is called for, both in non-urban library systems and in testing a wider range of access technologies. Improvement efforts should acknowledge that web design that improves access for persons with disabilities serves the broader community as well.

The Influence of Gender Difference on the Information-seeking Behaviors for the Graphical Interface of Children's Digital Library

Children conducting searches using the interfaces of library websites often encounter obstacles due to typographical errors, digital divides, or a failure to grasp keywords. Satisfaction with a given interface may also vary according to the gender of the user, making it a variable in information seeking behavior. Children benefit more from graphical information than text-based information with regard to learning. This study analyzed existing websites of public libraries to identify the issues facing children while using the interfaces. Based on these findings, we developed a graphical interface that children would find friendlier. In an evaluation of the proposed interface, girls presented a significantly higher success rate, compared to that of boys. We can therefore conclude that gender differences exist in the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed interface. Qualitative observations also revealed gender differences in information seeking behavior, some principles of which are outlined in this study. Based on these findings, we present the following suggestions for libraries and future researchers: 1. Public libraries should establish websites with interfaces specifically designed for children; 2. Future researchers should take into account the gender differences associated with the operation of interfaces and information seeking behavior in the development of auxiliary information technologies; 3. Public libraries should consider creating interfaces specific for different age groups and genders.

Health Disclaimers and Website Credibility Markers: Guidance for Consumer Health Reference in the Affordable Care Act Era

This article reports on the current state of health disclaimers, online health resources, and credibility markers provided on public library websites ( N = 105) for those seeking health information. In light of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), these findings have implications for consumer health reference services in public libraries. Approximately half of the public library websites in the study sample ( n = 52, 49.5%) referred users to the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace website (HealthCare.gov). When referring to online consumer health resources, a small number of public library websites identified the authors of online health content ( n = 16, 15.2%) or clearly stated the date of publication ( n = 8, 7.6%). Further, only 2.8 percent of public library websites ( n = 3) provided important health disclaimers. As a result, more website credibility markers, such as the content sponsorship and currency of health information, are needed on public library websites to better guide users to reliable online health information. Overall, this study offers practical guidance for library and information professionals for enhancing consumer health reference services and connecting users to health information in the Affordable Care Act landscape.

A strategic diversity manifesto for public libraries in the 21st century

Purpose– The purpose of this research-based philosophical piece is to present a progressive manifesto for public libraries in the 21st century to address gaps in embracing diversity in its holistic dimensions and representing such information in their strategic planning and web documentations.Design/methodology/approach– Content analysis of public library websites in the USA informed the development of a Strategic Diversity Manifesto that includes the “who”, the “what” and the “how” components to describe and discuss diversity-related matters in their strategic planning and web representations.Findings– The Strategic Diversity Manifesto provides a mechanism for individual public library agencies, in their localized context and environment, to strategically inquire, describe, discuss, reflect, analyze and translate into concretized actions their picture of diversity as grounded in the reality of their representative communities.Originality/value– The Strategic Diversity Manifesto presents a more a comprehensive and consolidated picture of diversity beyond isolated strategies seen in past efforts. It is a broader level of analysis and “picture painting” of the agency’s context, which may not be as detailed as compared to other modes of description, though as a result, it is more holistic instead of fragmentary. The aim is first and foremost to provide a basis for reflective thought and discussion.

Compliance of Section 508 in public library systems with the largest percentage of underserved populations

The issues of mobility, sight, and hearing impairments with respect to virtual accessibility are as important as physical accessibility when it comes to using public library services. However, a few studies have explored the accessibility of public library websites from the perspective of underrepresented user groups. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the accessibility of public libraries' websites by testing the compliance on Section 508, and further investigate the correlation between Web accessibility and public libraries' IT budgets. The study selected twenty public library systems that have the highest percentages of people with disabilities and older adults. Key findings indicate that most public library websites do not comply with Section 508, and thus, suggest that public library websites are not suited to deliver effective information services for underrepresented user populations who need special assistance. In addition, there is no significant association between the public library websites' accessibility and their IT budgets, which suggests that public libraries' lack of awareness of Web accessibility be the major challenge for compliance with Section 508.

An Evaluation of Young Adult Web Pages in Public Library Websites in Japan

This study is the first investigation into the types of contents in young adult (YA) web pages in public library websites in Japan. The study reveals that YA web pages, in general, place more emphasis on providing guidance on YA services, on helping young adults with regular learning, on the use of information resources for reference services, and on improving the communication abilities for young adults, rather than on providing research assistance to adults on YA services. Furthermore, an IRIS (Information Reference Instructional Sharing) Contents Model is proposed for YA web pages, whereas an IRIR (Information Reference Instructional Research) Contents Model is presented for children’s web pages, based on the differences between the contents of YA web pages and those of children’s web pages.

Web Accessibility Assessment of Urban Public Library Websites

In an age of ubiquitous information and communication technologies, urban public libraries are some of the only places to provide free Internet access for all members of the community regardless of ability or disability. This study provides a website accessibility assessment of the 127 U.S. public library members of the Urban Library Council, using the World Wide Web Consortium’s Web Content Accessibility Guidelines to establish the level of Web readiness of urban public libraries to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. Findings suggest these libraries require additional and ongoing maintenance to be digitally inclusive.