Website review

Library Website Review – Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak

Management of Internet Information Sources and Services (IMC 407)

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1.0 Introduction

Today‟s librarians recognize the importance of making sure library Web sites are easy to

navigate, so users can find their way quickly to e-resources. But where‟s a busy librarian to

begin?

A library can be considered a store or house of knowledge. In dictionaries the word

“library” has been defined as “a building or room containing a collection of books”. A library

renders a great service to the society. A library plays a very important role in promoting the

progress of knowledge. There are many people who love reading. But they can‟t afford to buy

books because the prices of books are very high. So when one becomes a member of a library,

he can borrow valuable books. A member can borrow two books at a time and he can keep it

with him for two weeks. Libraries are particularly useful for poor children. Even those who are

better off can‟t afford to buy all the books they require for their studies. For instance, invaluable

books like Encyclopedias and large dictionaries cannot be purchased. In academic perspective,

Library is a must. Academician especially, students believes library as an information provider.

Thus, library should be support education and research. The Library website provides online

access to many of the Library's services and resources. Quick search functions allow you to

search the Catalogue, find a database and search for subject resources. You can also check

your borrowing record directly.



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Collectively with the roles of library, library has initiated to utilize today‟s information

technology channels to provide necessary information via website or webpage. Library website

should act as primary gateway to access facilities offered by the library. Perpuastakaan Tun

Abdul Razak (PTAR) uowned by Universiti Teknologi Mara, has been selected to be reviewed

by our team members. Based on Peter Griffiths in his book „Managing your internet & intranet

services1, the ten (10) features of a good library website, as below;

With a guide from above guideline, we have described PTAR‟s website to ensure the

availability of the features.

1 Griffiths, P. (2004). Managing your internet & intranet services. London: Facet Publishing

BookmarksSearch on

site

Library

FriendsAsk a librarian

Online

Publication

Practical

Information

Training

GuidesCatalogue

Subject Folder/Portals

Library Publication

Figure 1 : 10 (ten) Features of a good library



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2.0 The Library

An overview of Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak Library(PTAR)

The library was first set up in 1960

under the Rural and Industrial Development

Authority (RIDA) in Petaling Jaya. In 1972 a

new main library building was completed in

Shah Alam and named Perpustakaan Tun

Abdul Razak 1. To date the library collections

totaled more than 600,500 volumes comprising

books, pamphlets, conference papers,

bibliographies, calendars and other non-print

materials in microform format. The library also

holds about 5,000 periodical titles currently

subscribed or received through

request/donations. A number of more 50 online

databases are subscribed from various journals.

In addition to the main library, there are eight other component libraries namely

Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak, Petaling Jaya (1967), INTEC Section 17 Library in Shah Alam

(1982) , Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak 2 (1986), Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak 3 (2003),

Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak 4 (2004), Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak, Faculty of

Architecture, Planning & Surveying Library (1994), Perpustakaan Tun Abdul Razak, Faculty of

Information Technology & Quantitative Science Library (1997 - 2004), Faculty of Information

Studies, Puncak Perdana (2004), Selayang Hospital Library (2005) and Puncak Alam Library

(2008).

Figure 2 : A picture of PTAR on Launching Day in

1972



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3.0 The Library Website

The Welcoming Page or Home Page

The website can be accessed via http://library.uitm.edu.my. The home page for PTAR‟s

webpage, as below ;

Figure 3 : The main page or home page of PTAR



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3.1 Bookmarks

Bookmarks are useful features which provide its own selection of favorite useful

bookmarks or links to other websites. The selection need to be updated and kept up to

date to ensure that library remain current and relevant information or link to fulfill user

needs.

PTAR‟s Website bookmark, can be found as indicated below ;

Bookmark

s

Figure 4 : Bookmarks Feature in PTAR’s Website



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3.2 Practical Information

A good library website will also provide practical information to user. Practical

information provides the location details of the library. These features will provide a map

and directions, which aid user heading to the library. This will help to add physical

visitors.

As such, the details on practical information of PTAR, is shown below;

Practical Information

Figure 6 : Practical Information – Map and route to PTAR

Figure 5 : Practical Information Feature

in PTAR’s Website



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3.3 Training Guide

Training guide is another useful link which should be developed in the Library Website.

Training guide consist links to pages that offer advice on training opportunities or use of

navigator in the website, guidance on the services offered also a structured training

materials that are designed for delivery over the web. In simple understanding, it

provides guidance on how to use the website and services for a necessary reason.

Below is an example of the training guide features which can be viewed in PTAR‟s

web site.

Under the drop list, we can choose either one link in view to get further guidance and advice. As

such, PTAR‟s offer Customer services, serial services, information services and research guide

in conducting guide to user, based on their needs and requirements. The link is attached below ;

Training Guide

Figure 7 : Training Guide Feature in PTAR’s Website



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Figure 8 : Samples of training guide

provided by PTAR



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3.4 Search on site

Search on site can be define as process of searching info or specific user‟s request on

site using search engine developed on the website. Search engine is essential for a site

of any size beyond few pages. Using internal search engine to look for specific articles

or using a major search engines.

Search on site feature, as shown below.

Search on site

Figure 9 : Search on site Feature in PTAR’s Website



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Another samples of

search engines

provided

Figure 10 : Search on site – others Search Engines



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3.5 Online Publication

One of the most visited links is an online publication or e-resources or digital library link.

These features provide links to online publications that available such as in-house online

databases or subscribed online databases that include online journals.

As such, the details on online publication of PTAR, is shown below;

Furthermore, below is an online publication link, which is available in PTAR‟s website

online publication links.

Online Publication

Figure 11 : Online Publications Feature in PTAR’s Website



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Figure 12 : Samples of Online Publication Feature in PTAR’s Website



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Figure 13 : Samples of Online Publication Feature in PTAR’s Website



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3.6 Catalogue

A good library website consist a link to a Library Catalogue. The features allow user to

and to be linked to the library online catalogues (Web OPAC). Users can search

materials from the catalogue provided from the website.

Sample of catalogue provided by PTAR, as below;

Figure 14 : Samples of Catalogue

Feature in PTAR’s Website

Figure 15 : Catalogue’s search result



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3.7 Library Friends

Some of the libraries provide a page for their friends of the library organization. These

features will allow users to make direct contact with the Friends of the library

organization.

Sample of catalogue provided by PTAR, as below;

Links to Library Friends

Figure 16 : Library Friends feature in PTAR’s Website



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It provides link to other

academic libraries in

Malaysia.

Also, a link to other

libraries such as

National Library.

Figure 17 : Library Friends

feature sample. Link to other

academic libraries.

Figure 18 : Library Friends

feature sample. Link to other

libraries.



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3.8 Ask a librarian

In view of providing interactive website, Ask a Librarian features has been invented to

entertain users in very efficient way. Users are invited to submit enquiries to the library

enquiry service online, either in a freeform e-mail, or more likely by completing fields on

a form (such as essential contact details, so that the answer can be returned).

The features of ask a librarian provided by PTAR, as below;

Ask a librarian

e-form provided

Figure 19 : Ask a librarian

feature sample.

Figure 20 : Ask a librarian

request form



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Figure 21 : Frequently Ask Question Feature



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3.9 Subject folders and subject portals

Subject folders and subject portals are lists of recommended resources available in the

format of subject folders. The web gives you the option of providing links to online

information and mixing these links with traditional bibliographic reference to printed

resources.

The features of ask a librarian provided by PTAR, as below;

Subject Folder or Subject Portal

Figure 22 : Subject folder / subject portal feature in PTAR’s Website.



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Subject folder for

online publication

Figure 23 : Online Publication subject folder / subject portal feature in PTAR’s Website.



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3.10 Library Publication

Some libraries provide links to a catalogue and perhaps an online ordering service or a

bookshop operation where their organization‟s publication can be identified. As such,

this features allows user to subscribe or purchase in house publication. The library

should of course be the obvious source of reliable information about publications.

The figure below shows several of the library‟s publications.

Library Publication

Figure 24 : Library Publications feature in PTAR’s Website.



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Figure 25 : Samples of Library Publications in PTAR’s Website.



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In house

publication

examples

Figure 26 : Samples of in house publications in PTAR’s Website.



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4.0 Conclusion

A well-designed website is one of the best ways for a library to communicate to students,

faculty and the public. It serves as a gateway to library resources such as the online catalog,

databases, other websites, and information about the library. The content and purpose of the

website will vary, depending on the type of library and the mission of the site.

Though there is a growing number of ways and means of contacting users and showing

the library‟s services, the library website should always be the main starting-point for searches

and the one virtual “entrance” to the library. The most important issue is probably, that the

website, especially the homepage, should guide by the shortest possible way to the most-used

information.



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5.0 References

1. Griffiths, P. (2004). Managing your internet & intranet services. London: Facet Publishing

2. Selfert, M. (2004). Creating a good library web site. Journal of Adventist Education, 35-

39. Retrieved from http://circle.adventist.org/files/jae/en/jae200467023505.pdf

3. Home page. Retrieved March 27, 2011, from http://library.uitm.edu.my/v1/