Helena Mc Keever

ID. 3112874
Information Sources and Services 72.270
Assignment 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 Rolls
Direct reference source
Directory
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 surname
Design 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
authority
Electronic 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+rolls
Hastings District Libraries (2013). Retrieved May 21 from
http://www.hastingslibrary.co.nz/sections/databases
Hastings District Libraries Kotui Catalogue, (2013). Retreived May 21 from
http://ent.kotui.org.nz/client/hastings/search/results?qu=electoral+roll&te=&dt=list
Janes, 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. 387410). 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