Selection Guidelines for NetLinks

Version 1.0
Last updated 21 September 2006

Preamble Purpose Locating Resources Use any method to locate Web sites Visit a site and evaluate it Write a brief annotation Input the site(s) in ROADS General Principles

Content Purpose/Audience Authority and Objectivity Accuracy/Timeliness Value Other Access Design Conclusion

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1.  Preamble

We have investigated a number of sites in order to obtain an overview of collection development policy with regard to the Internet and to locate selection criteria used by these sites. The task has been much more time consuming than we anticipated. A bibliography of resources is provided at the end of this document.

State Library of Queensland Collection Development Policy (State Reference Library) has been based on a conspectus assessment of its collections undertaken in March 1998. In order for Internet resources to be selected authoritatively, selectors should have an understanding of this policy. It will be available on the intranet as soon as it has been ratified by the Library Board. It must be noted that there are two other policies to be taken into account: those of Special Collections and Public Libraries Division, both of which are undergoing the continuous updating process.

The Mission statement of State Library of Queensland as articulated in the Strategic Plan is:

To advance the cultural, social and economic development of Queensland by providing world class library and information services throughout the State, and to accept responsibility for providing global access to Queensland’s documentary heritage.

The collection policies of State Reference Library, Special Collections Division and Public Libraries Division provide a framework to enable State Library of Queensland to comply with the various supporting outcomes of the Strategic Plan. Though there are several policies, there are also common themes:

1. Provision of access to public library and information services.
2. Provision of access to and preservation of cultural heritage collections.
3. Provision of library and information services that support the people of Queensland in their enjoyment of reading and in their pursuit of lifelong learning.

With these collection policies in mind, our brief was to provide selection guidelines for Selected Internet Links.

Many of the traditional principles of collection development and evaluation of print materials apply to electronic resources. These principles include:

• content
• purpose/audience
• format
• cost

There are, though, other issues that have to be considered. According to Judith Edwards in her article on evaluating Internet resources, access and ease of use are important.

As Library professionals, we have been trained in evaluation techniques. Evaluative expertise is inherent in an information professional.

It is imperative that library staff critically evaluate all Internet resources that they recommend via Selected Internet Links. We want people to consider our site as their launching pad for locating information. There is a plethora of information available. We, as professional information providers, should be ensuring that our clients have the best at their fingertips via our site. It will encourage people to return when they know that they will always find authoritative sites that are easy to locate.

2. Purpose

These criteria are provided to help selectors choose sites to add to the Library’s Selected Internet Links. They will ensure consistency in the Selected Internet Links database.

3.  Locating resources

1. Use any method to locate Web sites; eg.

• search engines, either by subject searching or from What’s New sections
• word of mouth; eg. network with colleagues
• published articles or reviews; eg.
  • respected journals in designated subject areas
  • journals like Internet.au or Australian Netguide
  • Internet/Computer sections in various newspapers
• links found on other sites or from relevant discussion lists
• subject directories on the Net; eg.
  • Internet Public Library
  • Librarian’s Index to the Internet
  • World Wide Web Virtual Library
  • any directory with which you have had success

2. Visit a site and evaluate it, basing a decision on the selection guidelines below.

3. Write a brief annotation of each site selected.

   Your annotation should include the reasons for including the site, eg, "…official website of the Australian Stock Exchange. It offers investment information, courses and other services such as helping choose a stockbroker. Learn how to invest in shares, check company reports, or use share price and accumulation indices."

4. Input the site(s) in ROADS, using the written Procedures [to be compiled].

4.  General principles

a) Exclude sites that:

• only advertise a product or service
• make unauthorised use of copyright material, including "framing" (re-displaying pages from other proprietary sites, within frames)
• do not state clearly who is responsible for the site and its content
• are collections of links to other resources without descriptions and evaluations

b) Include sites such as:

• Health Reference Center - Academic
• those that the Library has paid for with licencing/consortia agreements. Currently, Health Reference Center – Academic is the sole site. However, trials of web-based databases are always on the agenda. Selectors should be aware of developments in the area of licencing/consortia agreements. Usually, access is only available in libraries, not from home computers.

5.  Content

This section looks at the purpose and content of sites, to see if they are interesting, useful and accurate.

1. Purpose/Audience

Look at why a site exists, and at its intended audience.

Prefer sites that:

• are of community interest; and
• state their intention, scope or audience, and are high in relevant content
• assists the librarian to refer SLQ clients to authoritative sites eg, those that have been reviewed by others in the field

2. Authority and Objectivity

Consider the individuals or organisation responsible for a site, and their reputation and/or qualifications. If a site exhibits discernible bias or strong opinions, consider also including sites with other viewpoints.

Prefer sites that:

• state who is responsible for a site, so that any bias or conflict of interest can be identified
• if they exhibit bias or strong opinions, do so in a relevant context
• provide clear contact details for the authors or publishers

3. Accuracy/Timeliness

Prefer sites that:

• provide accurate, verifiable facts and give their source. (Note: This does not necessarily exclude sites that because of their nature are based on opinions, ideologies, etc.)
• are well-written, with little jargon and acceptable grammar and spelling
• keep all parts working and up-to-date, and state when pages were last checked or revised

4. Value

Prefer sites that:

• are worth revisiting
• either for the quality or quantity of information; or
• because they are regularly expanded and/or revised
• have unique content
• complement or enhance material that exists in other formats
• have been reviewed
• have links to them from other sites

5. Other

Prefer sites that:

• provide on-site information, rather than lists of links or portals to other sites (Note: It is generally better to list sites individually than to quote the Links page of another site, or the category list of a search engine; however this does NOT mean exclude all directories and bibliographies.)
• keep any advertisements relevant and in proportion to the rest of the site
• respect copyright
• use good quality graphics or multimedia files, but only when they make a useful contribution
• pay special attention to Australian sites

6.  Access

This section looks at how easy it is to access (find and use) a site, and if there are any costs or restrictions placed on access.

Prefer sites that:

• are browser independent (eg., work with Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer) and work equally well with the graphics turned off
• work with software for people with disabilities
• do not require downloaded software to view/use them
• load quickly
• are usually available, preferably locally or from local mirror sites
• have a constant URL, and state it in the text of their pages
• use words the average person would use in a search engine
• state any rules for use clearly and openly
• print easily; eg. use dark text, or an alternative print format such as Word or Adobe PDF (portable document format)
• do not require paid membership or fees. In some instances, State Library of Queensland (in conjunction with other interested parties) will provide access to a fee-based site. You will be aware of this and you should annotate your entry to include any special requirements of usage of the site, eg, password access to Queensland public library staff and access via State Library of Queensland IP addresses only.

In other instances, the site may have some value to clients even though it is predominantly a fee-based site to which passwords are required for usage eg Dialog, UncoverWeb. Consider inclusion but mention that access is restricted and that more detailed information is available from State Library staff.

7.  Design

This section deals with the design of sites, looking at features that make them more useful or "user friendly."

Prefer sites that:

• look and feel friendly
• keep a stable structure
• are well laid out and easy to navigate; eg. let viewers "back out" of pages
• provide text-only alternatives for non-graphical browsers
• have a site map and search facility
• keep pages concise, to avoid excessive scrolling
• give essential instructions before links and interactive elements
• if they use frames, provide alternative versions for older browsers
• use frames, plug-ins or proprietary extensions such as Java or ActiveX, only to improve their sites
• do not have distracting or cluttered backgrounds or other visual elements
• allow user interaction where helpful
• safeguard the security of any private information; eg. won’t sell visitor details for advertising

8.  Conclusion

Use the above guidelines when deciding which Internet sites to add to the Selected Internet Resources.

Remember! You are selecting what you consider to be the "best" sites in your subject area.

 

If you would like to provide us with general feedback about NetLinks, or perhaps correct a listed site's details, please contact the NetLinks Administrator.