Marquette University Libraries offers MORE ‐ Marquette Online Research Environment ‐ to its campus community. The site intends to offer researchers access to Marquette Library’s collections and services, online databases, and Web resources. These are all clearly available from the opening screen which is simply arranged according to two basic library components: resources and services.
The Resources area includes the standard fare of links to the library catalog, MARQCAT, and other Library Catalogs; Article and Newspaper Indexes; Electronic Resources; Recommended Internet Sites; Reference and News; Search the Internet; and Library Collections. On the Library Online Catalogs page, Marquette offers its users the choice of using the telnet or the Web version of the library catalog. The page on Article and Newspaper Indexes is especially clear in its design. It is arranged in easy to read tables according to broad topic areas in which each product is given a succinct description of what it offers. Remote users receive instruction both on the initial page and when they click on the individual indexes.
Marquette attaches Web instructional guides to the Recommended Internet Sites. For each recommended subject area, the library offers search tips, citation guides, and information on evaluating Web resources. For more instruction on searching the Web, they provide a page called Search the Internet. For further assistance, MORE also provides a link to the Ask a Librarian service at the bottom of each of its Web pages.
The Services area of MORE is also neatly arranged for helping users to find information quickly about the library and its services. Here, one finds information on the library’s database workshops and research consultation service. Many online request forms are available to facilitate common library procedures such as interlibrary loan. Marquette also provides users the opportunity to search the site by keyword(s) and to use Boolean operators. In addition, Marquette posts their Acceptable Use Policy for Electronic Resources that clearly states their policy regarding Internet resources and the use of their online databases and computer equipment.
This library Web site is based on a simple and straightforward design that makes it easy and quick for users to navigate. Even though the site makes minimal use of graphics, it is displayed attractively throughout. Clearly, the needs of the remote user are a primary focus in presenting what the library has to offer. It should serve as a model for other libraries wishing to establish an online research environment.
