Library assessment has come to rely on outcome assessment as the most appropriate indication of library performance. Yet, outcome studies are difficult to conduct, and are typically funded at regional and national levels. Public libraries, though, claim to deliver services specifically tailored to their communities. Upcoming efforts in library outcome evaluation will need to contend with this contradiction.
Posts Tagged ‘library evaluation’
Once Size Doesn’t Fit All
Posted in Library assessment, Research, tagged library evaluation, localism, outcome evaluation on May 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear
Posted in Measurement, Research, tagged library evaluation, measurement error, measurement precision, measurement scope, measurement validity on May 1, 2009 | 3 Comments »
In January my brother and I were laying laminate flooring in his house. Each time we needed to trim a plank, we stood reverently by his table saw and incanted the familiar carpenter’s adage, “Measure twice, cut once. (Amen.)” My brother said, “It’s the damnedest thing. You can repeat and repeat a measurement, and then [...]
Poor WebJunction Survey Design Makes Findings Pretty Much Useless
Posted in Measurement, Research, tagged generalizability of findings, library evaluation, survey research, training assessment on April 22, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
This week I noticed that WebJunction is conducting a survey entitled “Technology Competencies Evaluation.” I think this must be a sequel to a survey I saw there last month about “management core competencies.” While the surveys are probably marketing research for WebJunction’s e-learning product line, the researchers say they want to use the data to “establish [...]
Using Library Assessment Data Against the Customer
Posted in Measurement, tagged customer satisfaction, customer service, Library assessment, library evaluation on April 7, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Joe Matthews (San Jose State U.), Larry White (East Carolina U.) and I just completed a workshop at PLA’s 2009 Spring Symposium in Nashville. My main role was to present on the LJ Index. But I want to focus here on a different topic–customer satisfaction. Joe led a segment on this topic, noting that there [...]
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IMLS- Blog Post: You just never know who’s going to drop by the IMLS booth in the exhibit hall! February 10, 2012
- IMLS to Hold Briefing on FY13 Budget Request February 8, 2012
- State Library Agencies Continue to Provide Valuable Services Despite Severe Cuts in Funding and Staff February 6, 2012
- Blog Post: IMLS on YouTube: National Aquarium Teaches with Watershed Moments February 3, 2012
- Application Deadline Extended: National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Awards February 1, 2012
- February 2012: Tubman African American Museum Takes Exhibits Beyond Museum Walls February 1, 2012
