Nuts and Bolts: Evaluations

PROGRAMMING NUTS AND BOLTS:

EVALUATION & THE BIG PICTURE

JUDY HOFFMANAMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

LACONI 9.30.11

Evaluation/Follow-up

Are you collecting enough info? Rate the program How they heard about the program Suggestions for future programs Name/e-mail (optional, of course) Other (e.g. First visit to the library? First program

they’ve attended?

Evaluation/Follow-up

What are you doing with the info you collect?

Tally up attendees and file away “for later” Use info to determine ROI (cost/staff

time/attendance) Apply to a review/audit of programming

Evaluation/Follow-up

Do you need to evaluate how you are evaluating your programs?

Who is filling out the evals? Just the 20-25 regulars?

Do you really know what the community wants…and needs?

Big Picture

Is it time to

REBALANCEyour programming portfolio?

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A little bit about the Study I work on (there is a tie-in):

The Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) is the largest and longest running survey of technology resources in libraries and the funding that enables free public access to these resources.

PLFTAS is funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Library Association

Big Picture

A little bit about the Study I work on (there is a tie-in):

Libraries use PLFTAS data and resources for PR and advocacy at the local, state, and national levels.

Last year 8,450 public libraries completed the survey. Did your library?

Big Picture

Think about this…..

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When library staff and trustees are meeting with elected officials they are looking for stuff like this…

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Things to think about when evaluating your programming:

What good are you doing for the community? How do elected officials, city managers, sponsors,

funders, and the community-at-large perceive your ROI?

Big Picture

In these tough times, are you providing enough classes for job-seekers, small businesses?

Computer basics Internet basics (e-mail, searching) Software use: word processing, spreadsheets,

presentations Online job-seeking and career-related info Databases for small businesses, entrepreneurs

Big Picture

How well do the people that control the purse-strings know what the library provides?

Distinctive marketing, package as a series Prepare a communications package for

stakeholders with stats, testimonials Send electronically and then follow-up with invite

to library or meet at their local office.

Wrap up / plug for ALA survey

Participate in the 2011-2012 national public library survey before November 11 (Note to library directors: Good news – it’s been streamlined!) www.plinternetsurvey.org

Find links to all study reports and related resources at www.ala.org/plinternetfunding

Thank you!

Judy Hoffman

Project Manager

American Library Association

312-280-4291

jhoffman@ala.org

Twitter: ala_ors