Evaluating Web Content and Design Trends: A Comprehensive Study of Forest Institute Library Websites of ICFRE

Abstract

This study evaluates the website content and design features of forest institute libraries under the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE). A comprehensive checklist comprising eight categories and 60 parameters was developed to assess nine regional forest institute websites systematically. The findings reveal that all websites (100%) feature visible and contrasted colour schemes with clear and easily readable text. Moreover, every institute’s website includes webmail functionality, copyright information, and copyright authority on its main pages. The analysis highlights that most websites (88.88%) utilise social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter/X to enhance user engagement. Additionally, the websites commonly provide essential information, including circulars, job vacancies, and event advertisements. Notably, only the Forest Research Institute (FRI) maintains a dedicated library website, which scored the highest with 48 out of 60 parameters and ranked first, while the Institute of Forest Productivity (IFP) ranked last with 31 parameters. The study emphasises the need for all ICFRE institutes to update and upgrade their websites regularly and recommends developing separate library websites featuring advanced functionalities to better cater to user needs and improve accessibility. This review highlights the importance of digital platforms for fostering information dissemination and collaboration within the forestry research community.