Evaluating Libraries

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

Who We Are

Pam [email protected]

Eleanor [email protected]

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



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.”



Step Three

Determine the desired outcomes



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.



Step Five

Select the appropriate evaluation tool



Step Six

Analyze and report findings



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?

Thanks!

Pam [email protected]

Eleanor [email protected]

Feel free to contact us if you have questions later

Self Improvement

Evaluating Libraries