Library Assessment

The assessment challenge for libraries is that traditional stats/measures are no longer sufficient; we need to demonstrate our value. There is no one best method for assessing library value; the method must be appropriate for the information you need.

Common methods:

• surveys (local, multi-library, institution)
• usage/data mining
• qualitative methods (rubrics, focus groups, interviews, observation/ethnographic, critical incident, logs, usability, advisory groups, social media)

Guiding questions for selecting a method or methods of assessment:

• What do you want to know?
• When do you need it?
• How will you get it?
• Who else might you collaborate with?
• How will you analyze data and communicate it?

When to use a survey:

• generalizable
• ​​trend data
• compare with others
• quantitative analysis
• comments

When not to use surveys:

• complex questions
• inappropriate to topic
• unsure how to analyze and report results 
• cost 

Qualitative options to complement surveys:

• observations
• interviews
• focus groups
• usability
• comments (solicited/unsolicited)
• customer "panels"