The library’s mission statement
What is the library’s mission statement? Is it easy to locate? (Think of this mission statement as you evaluate the following, and consider how it is or is not expressed.)
- Evaluate your reaction to the website homepage.
- How many and what types of menu options are displayed?
- Were the departments and services easily identified? What were they?
- Describe the website design, is it easy to navigate?
- Describe the website graphics. Are they distracting or attractive?
- Describe the layout. Is the main menu layout user-friendly?
- Is the website up to date?
- Does the website seem too professional or does it give a friendly vibe?
- Was there a calendar of events? What are some of the programs and services listed?
- Could you determine who was staff and what their roles were/is there a staff directory?
- Overall, do you feel that the library’s website is an expression of its mission? Why or why not?
- If you were to draft a mission statement for this library, what would it be?
Select any type of library to visit (not College of DuPage).
If you have visited the website previously, look at it with fresh eyes.
Please remember that this is a class assignment and not a license to voice criticism about or to that library. Be Professional.
Answer the following, noting (where appropriate) if there is a Strength, Weakness, an Opportunity to improve, or what external factors are a Threat (or competition) for that particular service/offering/material.
For example, it’s a strength the library offers DVDs, but charging very much is a weakness. The library’s threat in this area is that patrons in this particular community may subscribe to online streaming services. The opportunity is to “undercut” Netflix or Hulu (etc.) by lowering or dropping rental/subscription fees. This is a very simplistic example, but it offers practice on how to analyze.
