evaluating libraries
DESCRIPTION
Online Management Course for New Library Directors in New Mexico Wimba Event 9-22-10TRANSCRIPT
Evaluating Libraries
Presented byEleanor Bernau and Pam MacKellar
September 22, 201011 am – 12 noon
An Online Management Course for New Library Directors in New Mexico Webinar
WelcomeWelcome
What we will cover today Evaluation and New Mexico State Library
requirements
What is Evaluation and What Good is it?
The Evaluation Process: Library Programs and Services
Evaluating Collections
Questions
Evaluation & the NMSLEvaluation & the NMSL The New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) 4.5.2.9
requires specific plans & policies in order to receive a Public Library Grant (aka State Aid).
NMAC 4.5.2.9.C-8 states: Library shall have a community analysis and assessment, a long-range plan and a collection development policy that are reviewed and updated on a regular basis….
See Plans & Policies in the Librarian’s Toolkit on the NMSL website.
See the Certification Study Guide: Planning for Results, pp. 28-32.
What is Evaluation?What is Evaluation?
1. The systematic and ongoing assessment of an organization’s progress toward
Living its mission Reaching its goals Achieving desired outcomes Meeting the needs of the people it serves
2. A critical part of the planning process Strategic Plan Evaluation Collection DP
What Good is What Good is Evaluation?Evaluation?
Guides you in providing the best services, programs and collections possible
Verifies that you are doing what you think you are doing
Provides information about how to improve
Helps ensure the survival of the organization
Creates opportunities for alternative funding
The Evaluation Process
The Evaluation The Evaluation ProcessProcess
Library Services and ProgramsLibrary Services and Programs
Step One
Start with your strategic plan
The Evaluation The Evaluation ProcessProcess
Library Services and ProgramsLibrary Services and Programs
Step TwoClarify your library’s goals, objectives, programs and service
priorities
What are GOALS? They are broad, general outcome statements: “The Successful Public Library’s resources and services are easily accessed and meet the diverse and changing information needs of our customers.”
What are OBJECTIVES? They are S.M.A.R.T. - precise time-based, measureable actions that support the completion of a goal: “During 2010 the library will increase programming by 100% to help people in tough economic times.”
The Evaluation The Evaluation ProcessProcess
Library Services and ProgramsLibrary Services and Programs
Step Three
Determine the desired outcomes
The Evaluation The Evaluation ProcessProcess
Library Services and ProgramsLibrary Services and Programs
Step Four
Decide what you want to know What is a SMART objective? It’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-
bound.
What do SMART objectives tell you? What will be accomplished and how it will be measured.
The Evaluation The Evaluation ProcessProcess
Library Services and ProgramsLibrary Services and Programs
Step Five
Select the appropriate evaluation tool
The Evaluation The Evaluation ProcessProcess
Library Services and ProgramsLibrary Services and Programs
Step Six
Analyze and report findings
The Evaluation The Evaluation ProcessProcess
Library Services and ProgramsLibrary Services and Programs
The Evaluation Plan
Evaluating Library Collections
The Evaluation The Evaluation ProcessProcessCollectionsCollections
Step One
Start with your
Collection Development
Policy
The Evaluation The Evaluation ProcessProcessCollectionsCollections
A Simple Collection Assessment Process Choose one section to start
Assign to staff member with interest/expertise in subject
Determine use of section
Appearance
Size
Age
Formats
Repeat
“The mere fact that a library service is being used [or a program attended] does not mean that the service [or program] makes a difference or has a positive impact on the user.”
Botha, E., Erasmus R., and Van Deventer, M. 2009. “Evaluating the impact of a special library and information service.” Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, vol. 41(2), pp 108-123.
Questions?