The purpose of the Clearwater Public Library Site is to provide information pertaining to the Clearwater Public Library and its various branches. But this site goes beyond that. It also supplies links to numerous agencies, other home pages, and numerous databases. In fact, there are so many links within this site that it is highly unlikely that you will get to all of them in one sitting.
The left side of the home page contains an index divided into General Information, Databases & Publications, and Internet Resources. Let’s look at each section. General Information provides seven areas for a visitor to investigate. One can look at Contact Information & Hours, Forms & Online Services, Frequently Asked Questions, Library Foundation, Mission Statement & Policies, News & Events by E‐mail, and Support Your Library. All of these areas provide good information such as library hours, pictures of all branches, phone numbers, locator maps of each library; library card applications, a listing of all periodicals in the collection, departments within each library, what to do if you lose your library card, late items, and how to join Friends of the Library. The library has its entire mission statement as well as policies and code of conduct right there to read. How many agencies do that? Also under this section is CPL e‐mail which is a format whereby the library keeps us informed on up‐to‐date library events and programs.
Databases & Publications provides seven areas such as Britannica Online, Events Calendar, FROG Database, Information & Referral Directory, Local History, Magazine & Periodical Databases, and Online Library Catalogs. All of these are excellent links. Particularly good is the Events Calendar which lists events going on in Clearwater and surrounding areas. I was able to browse what’s going on in downtown Clearwater. I may have to stop by on May 29, 1999 and attend the Downtown Farmer’s Market from 6.00 a.m. ‐ 2.00 p.m. The link also provides links to major areas of city government. Equally valuable is the Information & Referral Directory link as well as the Local History link. This provides excellent pictures of Clearwater as well as a good, general history of the area. This second section is also where you can go to CNN, Medline, and FirstSearch Web.
Internet Resources provides nine areas such as Bulletin Board, Government Documents, Internet Search Tools, Local Internet Directory, Reading Room, Reference Department, Youth Services, Internet Resources Index, and Internet Resource Recent Additions. By looking at the Government Documents link, I learned that the Clearwater Public Library is a Federal Depository Library. All of these links provide the patron with ample resources to help them use the Internet.
Also provided on this home page is an area called Library Site Search in which you type in a word or words or area you wish to search within the library. At the top of the home page is an area that lists agencies within the city of Clearwater such as the fire department, the city home page, the city auditor, the police department, and parks and recreation to name just a few. Clicking on the parks and recreation link, I found many links to just about everything I need to know about parks in the area.
On the right side of the Clearwater Public Library home page is an area which apparently changes often. It may list a variety of things such as current exhibits going on at the library. Presently, it lists the 1999 Scholar’s Choice program which began on January 13 and continues until March 17.
The site also allows the patron to e‐mail a reference question to the reference staff and receive a response within 48 hours. Some of the questions they are asked are: Why do snakes stick out their tongues? Who served as Secretary of State under Wilson? What can I substitute for buttermilk in a recipe?
Overall, this Web site does what a Web site should do. It gives clearcut information that patrons want to know. The first thing one sees upon entering this home page is the General Information section listing the hours and phone number. Those are the basic questions most people have.
This Web site is very well planned and thought out. It is well organized with a good layout. The colors are soft, not overpowering, and very light. The manner of the homepage is not busy or cluttered. Each page within follows the same layout. It’s very user friendly and fun to use.
