The object of the exercise is to examine a given digital library site in detail in order to provide a number of observed conclusions and evaluations. The results of the exercise should be incorporated in the essay in Assignment 1. The experiences/evaluations that you should gather are expressed in questions below.

Go to the Rutgers University library site: http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu

• Access: You should access it in a way that allows you full service*. What are the types and modes of access?
• Structure: Examine the structure of the whole site. How is it organized? Go to Site index and browse through it..
• Content: Examine in detail the many components of content, with emphasis on electronic resources - such as E-journals, indexes and databases, electronic reference sources, etc. What is the content? How is it organized?
• Indexes and guides: Examine the various indexes, catalogs and research guides. What is provided as to indexes? Take a look at some electronic resources, such as JSTOR - what can you use it for? Use Research Shortcuts - where does it get you? Use Subject Research Guides, and go to Library and Information Science - what is there?
• Vale: Examine what is provided. Concentrate on Proquest and Ebsco. You will use it later in the course. What does it do and how to use it?
• Services: Examine user services. What are some of them? How can you use them?
• Digital projects: Go to Digital Library Projects & Centers. Examine the content. Look at Knowledge Maze. Read the plans: A Bridge to the Future: The Rutgers Digital Library Initiative. How does this fit with the discussions found in the literature?
• Your own interest: Choose any aspect that fits special interests of yours. How does it fit?