Transcript Libraries on the Web

LIBRARIES IN DIGITAL AGE * * * INTERUNIVERSITY CENTRE
DUBROVNIK, May 2000
Providing content on the Internet
Dr. Sanda Erdelez
Graduate School of Library and Information Science
University of Texas at Austin
[email protected]
The overview
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Libraries on the Web
Library users and the Web content
Types of content on the Web
Ensuring the quality of the content
The future
The explosion of the Web
• Web sites growth: from 1.6 mil in 1997 to
almost 5 mil in 1999
• 211% change from 1997 to 1999
• 55% of Web sites are in the US (down from
59% in 1998)
• 80% of Web sites are in English (down from
84% in 1998)
How many libraries are on the
Web?
• Over 4,500 libraries listed in lib-web-cats
• Over 3,000 libraries from over 90 countries
listed in LibWeb
• In the US, over 500 public libraries
• In Europe, well over 1000 public libraries in
some 30 countries, Finland leads with 247
libraries (EC, 1999)
Why provide content on the
Web?
• To provide service to users.
• To show others what you have.
• Because everyone else is there.
Who are the library users?
• Traditional vs. new ways of looking at users
• Users you “know” and users you don’t
• User you may “see” in person and users you
will never see
What is important to know about
the users?
• Their needs and interests
• The level of their information and
information technology literacy
• Their access capabilities
User accessibility issues
• Libraries and the digital divide
• Accessibility to those with special needs
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines by
W3C
- ADA compliance rules
- Bobby site, Bobby on NSK
• Language as an accessibility issue
- 80% of Web sites are in English
What type of content to provide
on the Web
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Online public access catalogs
Commercial indexes and databases
Unique elements of library collection
Other local resources and services
Links to content on the Internet
OPACs on the Web
- old way - via telnet or tn3270 connection
- new way - via graphical user interface on
the Web
- advantages of a Web-based catalog:
- does not require installation of additional
software
- hyperlink connection to resources, subject
headings and the Internet
- easy-to-use, familiar interface
OPACs on the Web - Examples
• Single site catalogs:
Coeur d’ Alene Public Library, Idaho, USA - Athena
St. Charles Publib Library, Illinois, USA - DRA
• Co-operative projects:
BIBSYS - shared library system for all Norwegian
University Libraries
CROLIST - Croatian Library Network
Innovative Interfaces - Millenium
Commercial indexes, journals,
ebooks
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Selection of resources
Licensing issues
Dial-in access v. web-based
Indexes v. full text articles and books
Examples:
– NYPL database access
– Netlibrary (www.netlibrary.com)
Unique elements of library
collection
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Content that only you can provide
To digitize or not -- that is the question
Multimedia projects
Examples:
– University of Texas - Austin map collection
– The Karpeles Library manuscript collection
– Truman Presidential Library
Other local resources and
services
• Extensions of traditional library services
– checked book status and renewals
– updates on new acquisitions
• Community resources and services
– job hunting
– relocation
– voting
Issues in deciding about selecting
the content for the Web
• Technical support and staff resources
• Time in conversion and development
• Is it a unique contribution? (nice to have or
must have?).
• Maintaining quality
Quality of Content
Reengineering criteria that are used to
promote information literacy on the Web
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Establishing authority
Accuracy
Objectivity
Currency
Coverage
Adapted from Alexander, J. E. & Tate, M. A.Web Wisdom,
Web Wisdom (1999)
Authority
• The institutional authority of libraries
• Authority of locally created content v.
content provided by others
• Give credit to local content creators and
inform users about their credentials
• Inform users what content is provided by
external sources and about their authority
(e.g., annotate links to external Web sites)
Accuracy
• Provide clues for verification of accuracy,
e.g., list of sources used
• Provide references for external verification
in print or electronic format
• Ensure frequent updates for time sensitive
information (hours of operation, fees,
policies)
Objectivity
• Be careful for any evidence of bias in the
information presented in both locally and
externally created content
• Clearly identify advertising so it can be
differentiated from the information content
Currency
• Indicate when information was produced
and updated
• Provide Time stamps on individual pages
and page segments (if needed)
• Provide visual indication of what is new on
the main home page
Coverage
• Put yourself in the shoes of your users:
– Does the page contain information that is
pertinent to your user’s needs?
– How can this information be used?
• What information and services may be
missing?
• Keep open, proactive dialog with users for
feedback and suggestions
What good is wonderful
content…
...when no one can get to it?
• access speeds
• server speed
...when no one knows about it?
• marketing library web presence to users and the
profession
• registering with search engines
• keeping track of who links to your site
The future...
• From libraries on the Web to Library
portals...
• How will libraries complement other Webbased resources -- public and commercial?
• How will libraries’ virtual form complement
their physical form?