Public Library Websites Research Articles

Building Virtual Spaces For Children In The Digital Branch

Purpose. A digital branch is just like a physical branch except that content is delivered digitally via the web. A digital branch has staff, a collection, a community, and a building. The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of building individual spaces for different user groups, specifcally children, within a digital branch. Methodology. A literature review provides a framework from which several library web spaces for children are considered. Findings. Public libraries have multiple and inconsistent identities because they serve a public that is by nature inconsistent. The varying needs of the library users must be considered when designing a public library website. Children have special needs in the digital environment. Features that children enjoy may irritate adult users. Children need to learn in an emotionally supportive environment. Images, motivation, and play must be used to overcome any negative feelings that a child may encounter during the information seeking process. In general, children’s web portals should be visual and customisable. In the experience economy, users want to engage and interact with content in a personal and meaningful way and an engaging experience may lead to increased customer loyalty. Every child and every adult is unique. Personalization may offer a way to meet individual user needs while engaging them in a meaningful experience. Personalization will allow a library to go beyond creating spaces for individual user groups and allow them to create spaces for each individual user.

An Evaluation of Public Library Websites: Describing Children's Services in Japan

ABSTRACT. This study is the first to investigate the amount and type of information about children's services described in Japanese public library websites, with particular reference to the Web pages intended for children, and the extent to which usability is taken into account in the design of these websites. Further, the study analyzes what kinds of content are more prevalent in children's services as described in Japanese public library websites in comparison with the actual delivery of these services. Finally, the study considers the usability of children's Web pages from the perspectives of how easy they are to read and understand.

Local studies collections online: an investigation in Irish public libraries

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate how public libraries in Ireland are using their websites to present local studies collections online.Design/methodology/approachAll the websites of public libraries in Ireland were evaluated against a checklist of 50 criteria by one of the authors. An analytic description was provided of the four highest‐ranking websites and semi‐structured interviews were held with staff in these library authorities.FindingsSeveral interesting trends in Irish local studies and their online presentation were identified. Overall the websites were well‐presented and had a strong sense of branding. Users of these websites typically come from the Irish diaspora in Europe, the US and Australia. Library 2.0 “tools” had been adopted by three of the four authorities investigated, adding value to their websites. Recommendations for future developments are included.Originality/valueThis research should add to the relatively sparse literature available on local authority local studies websites.

<i>Documenting the American South</i> and the Public Library User: A Proposal to Improve Access for the General Public to a Database of Southern and North Carolina Materials

Databases of historical primary sources such as the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Documenting the American South are highly used and appreciated by members of the general public as well as scholars. North Carolina public library users could benefit greatly if links to such resources were made available to them through public library Web sites. The most convenient solution would be for a central cultural resource institution to take charge of such a project.

Heuristic evaluation applied to library web services

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to present usability heuristics for the evaluation of public library web services.Design/methodology/approachHeuristics for library services are based on Nielsen's classical list of heuristics and results of previous usability research of library web services. A total of 15 public library web sites were evaluated on the basis of these applied heuristics. One part of the study was supported through usability tests. The results of these studies were utilized to evaluate the applied heuristics.FindingsThe applied heuristics are divided into three categories: heuristics critical from the usability viewpoint; heuristics concerning major problems; and heuristics connected to minor usability problems but still important and concerning conventions of web design. The use of the heuristics and the results they give are evaluated to provide a basis for their use in future.Research limitations/implicationsThe applied heuristics lists have been tested in two different studies, and the combined list based on them has so far been utilized in practical evaluation, but has not been formally tested.Practical implicationsThe heuristics for library web services presented in this paper can be applied to usability evaluation of public library web services.Originality/valueLibrary web sites should be user friendly, because the services are meant for all citizens. The applied heuristics for public library web services provide a starting point for usability evaluation that can be continued with other methods.

The Present Status of Web-OPAC in Public Library Websites for Improving Information Literacy of Children and Its Problems

The Present Status of Web-OPAC in Public Library Websites for Improving Information Literacy of Children and Its Problems

The Present Status of Web Pages in Public Library Websites for Improving Information Literacy of Children and Its Significance

The Present Status of Web Pages in Public Library Websites for Improving Information Literacy of Children and Its Significance

지역대표도서관의 아동서비스용 웹사이트 분석

국내의 대다수 공공도서관은 지역사회의 다양한 이용계층에게 웹서비스를 제공하기 위하여 홈페이지를 구축 운영하고 있다. 그럼에도 불구하고 차세대 지식기반사회를 주도해야 할 지역대표도서관의 아동서비스용 웹사이트는 부실하고 아동의 정보접근 및 이용행태를 충분히 반영하지 못하며, 그 요체인 콘텐트도 매우 취약하다. 이에 본 연구는 국내 광역시도의 대표도서관을 대상으로 아동서비스를 위한 웹사이트의 구축현황, 인터페이스와 디자인, 검색서비스, 콘텐트를 분석하고 대안을 제시하였다. Most public libraries construct and operate their websites to provide the various user groups in local communities with internet access in Korea. But the representative public library's websites designed for children who are going to lead the next generation information based society, are unsatisfactory and don't reflect their approaches to information. The main factors of content and circumstance of usage are also extremely poor. Therefore, this research analyzed the construction of websites for children, their interface and design, search services, the contents of provincial representative public libraries amongst public libraries in korea and suggested improvement schemes.

Can Scottish public library services claim they are socially inclusive of all minority groups when lesbian fiction is still so inaccessible?

This paper explores how Scottish public library services have responded to providing a service to a virtually invisible minority group, i.e. lesbians who enjoy reading lesbian fiction. The evidence that provides the foundation for the results discussed in this paper was drawn from the following sources: a study of the 32 public library services in Scotland, conducted through an e-mail/postal survey on lesbian fiction; an analysis of online public library websites and catalogues; workshops and focus groups with library workers and newly qualified librarians; women who identify as lesbian or bisexual and read lesbian fiction; and a questionnaire on lesbian fiction distributed through recognized lesbian forums and publications. The research found there to be an inequity of service provision for lesbians in terms of recreational reading and, in the light of this, recommends a reassessment of certain library practices. In particular, there is a need to raise awareness of LGBT people among library workers by encouraging contact with LGBT people and their support networks and providing diversity training linked with training in how to develop collections of lesbian and gay fiction and how to promote those collections to their main audience. Definition of lesbian fiction: For the purposes of this research two definitions of lesbian fiction apply: fiction that is written by lesbians, about lesbians for lesbians; or fiction which has at its centre character(s) who identify as lesbian and/or fiction in which the key themes of the novel are lesbian centric.

Internet identity and public libraries: communicating service values through web presence

PurposeTo discuss the nature of public library websites and what they communicate about the values of the sector.Design/methodology/approachThe article examines a range of Scottish public library websites to determine domain and quality of information resources provided.FindingsThat many public libraries in Scotland have a virtual identity problem brought about by being part of larger websites for their parent bodies. It is argued that this identity problem is to the detriment of the service, and that models of good practice should be urgently considered by public librarians.Practical implicationsThe article should be of interest to librarians considering how best to present their websites and the potential challenges in doing so as part of a larger umbrella organisation.Originality/valueThis is the first article to examine all sites from Scottish public libraries in terms of their origins and content.

An information architecture approach to building a much better digital library

An information architecture approach to building a much better digital library

대구.경북지역 공공도서관의 아동서비스용 웹사이트 분석 및 개선방안

오늘날 아동은 성인보다 컴퓨터와 인터넷을 통한 정보습득에 익숙하며 실제로 그들의 생활형태에 커다란 영향을 미치고 있다. 이에 공공도서관은 시공간에 제약 없이 아동들이 스스로 평생동안 학습하고, 책을 읽고, 정보에 접근할 수 있도록 웹사이트를 구축하여 제공해야 한다. 본 연구는 공공도서관 웹사이트의 중요성, 특히 아동을 위한 공공도서관 웹서비스의 중요성과 국내 동향을 분석하고 개선방안을 제시하고자 하는데 목적이 있다. 이를 위하여 대구 경북지역의 공공도서관 홈페이지를 대상으로 웹사이트의 구축여부, 구성체계, 검색서비스, 콘텐트를 분석하였다. Children seem to be more familiar with getting information from computer and internet than adults, and also it is true that information behavior in the internet has strong influences in the living of the children. When considering this fact, the public library which is the gateway to knowledge should provide a website for children services, allowing to do their life-long learning, read books and access information, without any restrains from time and space. The purpose of this study is to show the importance of public library website, especially for the children, and also to analyze trend of the country and present the solution to the problems. To achieve these goal, the analysis on the websites of the public libraries in Dagu and Gyengbuk area has been conducted. In detail, these were conducted about following criterions: existence of the website, structural system, search service, and contents.

Public library websites for teenagers: How are they addressing the consumer health information needs of today's teens?

AbstractYoung adult use of the Web both for creating and reviewing content continues to grow and the Internet has become an important tool for teenagers seeking health information (Borzekowski & Rickert 2001, Gray et al 2005; Rideout 2001; Richardson 2002; Vargas 2005). More than 70 percent of 15 to 17 year olds say they have used the Internet to look up health information (Rideout 2001, Richardson et al 2002). In fact, the Kaiser Family Foundation study reported in “Generation Rx.com” found that more youth had looked for health information than had engaged in various Web 2.0 behaviors as purchasing something online or using a chat room (Rideout 2001). Researchers cite availability, anonymity, and affordability as the key reasons teenagers turn to the web for answers to their health‐related questions (Barak & Fisher 2001; Gray et al 2005).While the Internet provides teenagers with access to a wealth of health‐related resources, it also presents challenges that can negatively impact the ability of adolescents to access quality information online. Difficulty conducting searches, judging the credibility of the information retrieved, and accessing sites due to filtering software are just a few of the barriers teenagers face (Gray et al 2002; Gray et al 2005; Richardson et al 2002). Like many Web users, teenagers also express concerns about privacy and confidentiality, especially in chat rooms or email correspondences (Vargas 2005).Given the issues teens face when searching for health information online, it seems natural that public libraries take the lead in providing assistance to teenagers who need help finding health information. Libraries, particularly public libraries, have a long history of providing consumer heath information to adults in their communities, and this service has transitioned online as libraries provide Internet access to electronic consumer health information (Smith 2006). In addition, many public libraries have developed websites specifically for teenagers. As more teens look for personalized information or the ability to ‘create’ their own content, these library web pages often serve as centers for reference, educational support, popular materials, community information, and library programming (Hughes‐Hassell & Miller 2003; Jones 1997). Including links to useful websites would alleviate some of the frustration teenagers face when searching for quality health information on the Internet and allow them to make their own informed decisions (Vargas 2005). But how common is it for these web pages to provide consumer health information for teenagers?

Evaluation of cross-strait public library Website

In recent years, many evaluations on Web sites have been conducted, and relevant researches have also been carried out in academic circle. This paper introduces an innovative method called correspondence analysis to evaluate public library Websites from five aspects-traffic, visit, connectivity, speed and page views. Some suggestions based on the result of evaluation are given in this paper with an expectation to promote the construction and development of public library Websites.

공공도서관의 특수장서 현황 조사연구 - 미국과 한국의 경우를 중심으로 -

많은 도서관에서 다른 곳에서 구할 수 없는 독특한 정보원으로 구축해놓은 특수장서를 운영하고 있다. 도서관에서 구축해놓은 특수장서는 귀중한 연구자료로 사용되며 또 이용자들을 위한 특화서비스에 활용되고 있다. 디지털시대를 맞아 독특하고 유일한 자료로 구축된 특수장서는 질적인 웹콘텐츠로 활용되고 있어서 도서관의 귀중한 자산으로 각광 받고 있다. 본 논문에서는 국내외 공공도서관에서 구축운영되는 특수장서 현황을 웹사이트 방문방법으로 조사하여 그 내용을 소개함으로써 국내 공공도서관에서 특수장서의 문화를 이해하고 특수장서 개발 구축에 참고하도록 하였다. There are many famous, well-known special collections built with unique and valuable materials in the libraries all around the world. These special collections are very important for the public and especially for the researchers. Digital access and the Web have altered the landscape of special collections and allowed increasing numbers of users to locate and access rare and valuable materials of special collections. This change has also affected libraries with the responsibility of building and managing special collections. The goal of this paper is to provide readers with insight into the culture of the special collection and to suggest good ideas for public libraries to build their special collections by introducing the special collection building cases in USA and Korea through investigating the public library websites.

Digital information access in urban/suburban communities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of public digital services on urban/suburban residents, to uncover the current usage of public digital services and levels of satisfaction with the digital resources/content in urban digital libraries (networked computers with specific information infrastructure designed free for public use).Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative approach is used as a main stream in the research framework as the method of inquiry. Qualitative one‐to‐one interviews include surveying users who use public library websites, observing the users, consulting librarians about the users, and interviewing the users.Findings – Provides demographic patterns of the patrons' interaction with the digital services public libraries provide, and the satisfaction and compliances the residents have regarding information access through the digital technology in urban/suburban Connecticut.Practical implications – Because of the small number of participants, this study has limita...

La política de acceso y uso de Internet en las bibliotecas públicas: análisis comparativo y modelo

Public libraries with website and offering Internet-access service are, particularly in English-speaking countries, increasingly including their use conditions. To determine the essential contents of the rules or policies that regulate such services, we are carrying out a comparative analysis of some documents found in the websites of public libraries of English-speaking and French-speaking countries, as well as of our own country.

Characteristics, uniqueness and overlap of information sources linked from North American public library Web sites

This article reports on the availability, domain distribution, percentage of Web sites versus Web pages, perceived value, and category of 31,400 Web–based resources selected by 50 public libraries in the United States and Canada. Eighty–seven percent of these resources were available, 60 percent were Web pages, and resources selected by 20 percent of the sampled libraries were finding tools such as general or subject specific search engines. Ninety–three percent of the resources were selected by just one of the 50 libraries; only 17 percent of the resources appeared to be primarily of local interest. The public may be unaware of these unique resources. The public library community must develop programs to increase the awareness and sharing of these evaluated resources.

The Present Status of Public Library Web Sites on Children's Services and Its Problems

The Present Status of Public Library Web Sites on Children's Services and Its Problems

Web pages of Slovenian public libraries: evaluation and guidelines

The content and quality of 28 Slovenian public library Web pages were studied in 2001 and 2002. The research was performed by students of Department of Library and Information Science and Book Studies (University of Ljubljana). In that way, student ability of Web page evaluation was also tested. The results show that while libraries are trying to modernise their work, the content of their Web pages is still predominantly oriented towards traditional library materials and services. Not enough emphasis is given to electronic resources. The potential of new ways of direct communication with the users is not realized. In addition, libraries have problems maintaining their Web sites: often the information is erroneous or outdated. In order to help and guide libraries in the future, a common concept of public library Web site is proposed, followed by content guidelines. Some additional activities (e.g. cooperation of libraries, changes in library education curricula) are proposed.