Introduction to Digital Libraries
Title
Why?
What?
ASSIGNMENT FOR THEME 4
Evaluation of digital libraries
A number of research reports provided findings from
evaluation efforts. Some of these directly address usability.
However, generalizing from the findings is difficult, mainly
because objectives vary and criteria, measures and
methodologies are not standardized yet.
Slowly, criteria are being classified and it seems that at least a
common set is emerging. Future evaluations, including your own,
will have to build upon this.
Digest, then really briefly summarize main points (could be
bullet style), and address question below – you can concentrate
on the evaluation parts only:
1. Saracevic, T. (2006). Vrednovanje digitalnih knjizinica. U: Prilozi
utemeljenju informacijske znanosti. Osijek: Filozofski Fakultet. str.
201 – 219. [U Zadarskoj knjiznici]
The English version of this article is:
Saracevic, T. (2000). Digital library evaluation: Toward evolution of
concepts. Library Trends, 49 (2), 350-369. Special issue on Evaluation
of Digital Libraries. [In Readings]
2. Zutty, I, (2010). Digital libraries and teens. Term project. Course
Digital Libraires, School of Communication and Information, Rutgers
University. [In Readings]
For the first (Saracevic) article you can substitute any other article about
evaluation, e.g. Xie, H. I. (2008). Users’ evaluation of digital libraries (DLs): Their
uses, their criteria, and their assessment. Information Processing &
Management, 44 (3), 1346-1373. [In Readings]
Questions?
But after the summary loosen up and discuss the following in
your own estimation and words (as in a critical essay) –
say what do you think, what you have learned, what problems you may
have with the reading and issues raised, what questions you have and the
like:
What has been found in these studies that you may find
useful in evaluation of a digital library (or rather its
digital components) such as Zadar (or one of your
choice)?
2. Zutty did her work as a student term project – but what
do you think of digital libraries for teens? Any examples
from experience?
1.