Joseph R. Matthews

Public Access to Online Catalogs

Peter Hernon

Robert E. Dugan

Everyone agrees that evaluation of library services is essential, but without a background in research it can be a challenge to apply abstract concepts such as strategic planning, evidence-based decision making, and accountability to real-world situations. Finally library managers have a workbook to help them master key concepts of service quality assessment, offering directed exercises and worksheets to guide them. Firmly rooted in practical application, this book Presents an overview of evaluation and the types of metrics, linking them to strategic planning and infrastructure Examines qualitative versus quantitative measures Shows how to decide which metrics are relevant to one’s own institution, covering benchmarking, best practices, peer group filters, and those metrics that offer a high return on investment Includes pointers for launching and maintaining successful library evaluation through flexibility and smart delegation among library staff Offers advice on marshaling data to effectively communicate the value and impact of a library and its services, no matter the audience Complete with a detailed list of sources for metrics and concrete examples of evaluation in practice, this workbook will be both valuable and immediately useful to managers at academic and public libraries, as well as to library trustees and others interested in assessing service quality.

Getting Started with Evaluation

Carson Block

"Written by a renowned expert on library information systems, this is an essential management guide for administrators, librarians, and other staff who are responsible for implementing and maintaining information technology"--

Library Information Systems

A library consultant considers the ways libraries can demonstrate their value and communicate this value with funders and patrons. Chapters focus on aspects of the library organization, such as the library's mission and values, its users, social benefits, economic impacts, and communications. Appendices discuss various types of value indicators.

The Dimensions of Public Library Effectiveness

Measuring for Results

Offers library managers an overview of the role and responsibilities of strategic planning, addressing the goal of providing good service and identifying new ways to communicate the library's importance to its customers.

Strategic Planning and Management for Library Managers

Written specifically to address the library's role in education, this book provides guidance on performing assessment at academic institutions that will serve to improve teaching effectiveness and prove your library's impact on student learning outcomes—and thereby demonstrate your library's value. • Demonstrates the critical nature of assessment in academic libraries in the 21st century • Identifies and discusses in detail effective assessment practices in higher education • Explains why and how specific methods have been useful in determining the library's impact • Suggests methods to use to demonstrate your library's significant value in multiple areas • Identifies ways in which any library can get started with assessment in their library • Shows how libraries can demonstrate their support of the university's vision and mission

Library Assessment in Higher Education, 2nd Edition

Academic and public libraries are much different today than they were even 15 years ago. And with even bigger changes on the horizon, what lies in store? In this systematic attempt to speak to academic and public librarians about the future of library services, Hernon and Matthews invite a raft of contributors to step back and envision the type of future library that will generate excitement and enthusiasm among users and stakeholders. Anyone interested in the future of libraries, especially library managers, will be engaged and stimulated as the contributors *Examinw the current state of the library, summarizing exsting literature on the topic to sketch in historical background *Project into the future, using SWOT analysis, environmental scans, and other techniques to posit how library infrastructure (such as staff, collections, technology, and facilities) can adapt in the decades ahead *Construct potential scenarios that library leaders can use to forge paths for their own institutions The collection of knowledge and practical wisdom in this book will help academic and public libraries find ways to honor their missions while planning for the broader institutional changes already underway.

Joseph R. Matthews

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