Helena Mc Keever ID. 3112874 Information Sources and Services 72.270Assignment 2 Task 2 (30%)

Evaluation Criteria for a Print Resource (Todd, 1998) in the Public Library (Hastings branch of Hastings District Libraries).

Print Resource: New Zealand Electoral RollsDirect reference sourceDirectory

Evaluation Criteria for a directory such as the electoral roll are listed by Todd as the following 10 headings.

Authority: The public regularly request to view the three local Hawkes Bay copies particularly for the latest year. Many people request them or the other physical copies of New Zealand electoral rolls which date from 1981 to 2013. They are published annually however there are exceptions to the rule such as 2011 due to Christchurch earthquakes. There is a link to the electoral rolls on the HDL Kotui Catalogue as shown: http://ent.kotui.org.nz/client/hastings/search/results?qu=electoral+roll&te=&dt=list. Electoral rolls for New Zealand (not local copies) are shelved in the genealogy section of the reference section A simple search on Archway in the Archives New Zealand web site with a keyword search for New Zealand electoral rolls reveals a wide range of organisations involved in creating the New Zealand electoral rolls such as the electoral commission, New Zealand representation commission or local courts depending on locality or date. New Zealand government agencies have a good reputation for producing quality work and a long history of producing this authoritative publication as quality work. Past copies have also been digitised dating from the turn of the century up until 1990 and are available on Ancestry library edition licensed database or on microfilm.

Scope: The general and Maori electoral rolls are published for distinct geographical areas dependent on electoral boundaries. The whole of New Zealand is divided into electoral areas. On the back cover of each electoral roll there is map showing the electoral boundaries of the area contained within that publication and the names of bordering electoral areas. The depth of coverage can be variable and change dependent on locality, year or whether the role is general or Maori (for example, Ikaroa-Rawhiti . Subject coverage is consistent: Full name, address and occupation.

Accuracy: The electoral rolls are as accurate as the last census results. They contain the names of those registered as Parliamentary electors and information gathered from many people who register by completing an enrolment form. People can also make a special request not to have their information published in the electoral roll for privacy or safety reasons which means there is not accurate information for everybody. Some of the information published in the electoral roll can be cross checked with other sources. For example, the electoral roll contains full names, addresses, and occupations of New Zealanders. Addresses can also be found in telephone directories or in local body electoral rolls.

Documentation: The 2012 electoral rolls and 2013 Maori electoral rolls are published under the authority of the New Zealand Representation Commission. It contains the names of those registered as Parliamentary electors.Items of Information: Electors full names, addresses and occupations. Arrangement: Alphabetical by surnameDesign and Layout: A4 size paper, two sided print, standard to small font, Surname in bold font, left hand margin, cardboard cover, spiral bond. Distinctive design and layout. A4 size consistent through years, spiral bounding new. Work is easily readable.Indexes: The electoral roll is set out with a list of 200 names per page (100 on the left and 100 on the right). There are typically between 150-300 pages. The Surnames of those registered as parliamentary electors is each electorate is listed alphabetically.Special features: Map of electoral boundary for that electoral roll shown on back cover.

Should we continue to buy it, subscribe to it or link to it? Does it still have value or should it be withdrawn from the collection?

We should continue to buy all issues of this publication annually consistent with purchase patterns since 1981 and beyond. We are not yet able to link to any digitised versions however we do subscribe to the licensed database Ancestry library edition which contains historic digitised copies of New Zealand electoral rolls up to 1990. This authoritative publication continues to have value and should not be withdrawn from collections particularly whilst current digitised versions are not available.

Print sources are evaluated mainly on content and related qualities such as authorityElectronic sources are evaluated on these but also on criteria such as ease of retrieval, frequency of access, and regularity of updates. Print sources date quickly, online sources are not always updated as regularly as it ideal. (The Open Polytechnic, 2013, p.1.)

Criteria for evaluating online information (The Open Polytechnic , 2013, p.15). Criteria for an Electronic Resource in the Public Library (Hastings branch of Hastings District Libraries).

A written collection development policy can provide guidance in making decisions and will help in developing and maintaining and effective reference collection (Smith, 2001, p.391)

Electronic Source: Australian and New Zealand Reference Centre Direct reference source Licensed database with access to full text digital resources

Currency: A search of all domestic Australian newspapers with the keyword sport returned a hit list which could be viewed with date descending. At the top of the list is an article dated 18/05/2013 retrieved on the 21/05/2013 (three days old). Two other searches for Keywords China and meat and China and fish returned articles from January 2013. Another full text general date search for May 2013 brought up many articles with date of 01 May. It is likely there are significant updates at the beginning of each month.Authority: The copyright of the abstracts and indexing is owned by EBSCO Publishing. This organisations databases are used widely in public libraries. There are multiple language options and it is likely to have an international market. The Oceanic content makes this an authoritative choice for New Zealand libraries.

Purpose: The sub title on entering the database provides a summary of the purpose. The Australian/NZ Reference Centre combines Australian magazines, newspapers, newswires and reference books to create the largest collection of regional full text content available to libraries in Oceania. This database includes leading Australia/NZ periodicals and international periodicals in full text; full text reference books; over 80,000 full text biographies and an Image Collection of over 510,000 photos, maps and flags (Hastings District Libraries, 2013). The database gives access to thousands of full text articles. The database is intended solely for the use of the individual patron of the licensing party.

Layout: The layout is clear with a basic search bar top left, results displayed centre and limits and refining of search result options listed on the left as well as options to find similar results using smart text searching. Colour scheme is white with a blue trim. There are audio options to listen to the articles with a choice of translate options. Graphs, charts, diagram, illustration, maps as well as colour photo and black and white photo options are all searchable. A visual search and advanced search are options.

Accuracy: Good spelling accuracy. A search of a local newspaper article for New Zealand, Taranaki Daily News, 01/05/2013, p.3 displayed an article titled: Violent drugged teens a worry. A spell check on word revealed no spelling errors.

Audience: General Public. No restrictions of access within the library. Accessing computers located in reference section. Available online from home for library card users.

Links and Relationships: There is a link to a related database MasterFILE Premier. This database is updated daily via EBSCOhost. There is also a link to the EBSCO Support Site.

Print Resource Comparison: Full text, easy print options compares well with a source available on the world wide web. Option to email search results and print at a later date. Includes New Zealand and Australia periodicals and this localised content an advantage of the database.

Authenticity or Integrity: Authentic and has integrity. Latest updates are not for the day of searching so a google search comparison or a comparison with an alternative database such as Press Display for relevance of content would be useful. Not always updated as regularly as it ideal. The Australia/New Zealand reference centre has a much broader historical archive of periodicals going back in time. It is also relevant to New Zealand. The database has ease of retrieval and but is accessed infrequently. Promotion of the website would increase usage.

Reference List

Archives New Zealand, (2013) Archway Search, Retrieved May 21 from http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/SimpleSearch.do?keyword=New+Zealand+electoral+rollsHastings District Libraries (2013). Retrieved May 21 from http://www.hastingslibrary.co.nz/sections/databasesHastings District Libraries Kotui Catalogue, (2013). Retreived May 21 from http://ent.kotui.org.nz/client/hastings/search/results?qu=electoral+roll&te=&dt=listJanes, J. (2003). What is reference for? Reference Services Review, 31(1), 22-25.Smith, L.C. (2011). Selection and evaluation of reference sources. In R. E Bopp & L.C. Smith (Eds.), Reference and information services: An introduction (4th ed., pp. 387-410). Englewood, CO: libraries Unlimited.The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand. (2013). Module 3: Evaluating Sources of Information. In 72270 Information Sources and Services. Lower Hutt, New Zealand: Author.Todd, C. (1998). Evaluation criteria for print resources. Lower Hutt, New Zealand: The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.TukiTuki Electoral Roll (2012). New Zealand Representation Commission