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When the evidence is not enough Organizational factors that influence effective and successful library assessment

When the evidence is not enough Organizational factors that influence effective and successful... Purpose – The purpose of this study is to report on the findings of the two‐year Association of Research Libraries (ARL) sponsored project, “Making Library Assessment Work: Practical Approaches to Effective and Sustainable Assessment,”; it aims to examine the organizational factors that facilitate and impede effective data use and the implications for assessment in research libraries. Design/methodology/approach – Information was gathered from a variety of sources, including: a self‐evaluation of assessment activities and needs done by each of the 24 participating libraries; extensive discussion with a designated contact at each library; a review of library and institutional sources such as annual reports, strategic plans, accreditation self‐studies, ARL and IPEDS statistics; and the observations and discussion that occurred during 1.5 day site visits. Findings – The paper finds that libraries surveyed have made some progress incorporating data in decision making and services improvement, but there is much work to be done. Originality/value – This is not an evidence‐based practice study but rather one that examines why evidence (the data on which a decision may be based) is not used more widely in libraries. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Performance Measurement and Metrics Emerald Publishing

When the evidence is not enough Organizational factors that influence effective and successful library assessment

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References (11)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1467-8047
DOI
10.1108/14678040810928444
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to report on the findings of the two‐year Association of Research Libraries (ARL) sponsored project, “Making Library Assessment Work: Practical Approaches to Effective and Sustainable Assessment,”; it aims to examine the organizational factors that facilitate and impede effective data use and the implications for assessment in research libraries. Design/methodology/approach – Information was gathered from a variety of sources, including: a self‐evaluation of assessment activities and needs done by each of the 24 participating libraries; extensive discussion with a designated contact at each library; a review of library and institutional sources such as annual reports, strategic plans, accreditation self‐studies, ARL and IPEDS statistics; and the observations and discussion that occurred during 1.5 day site visits. Findings – The paper finds that libraries surveyed have made some progress incorporating data in decision making and services improvement, but there is much work to be done. Originality/value – This is not an evidence‐based practice study but rather one that examines why evidence (the data on which a decision may be based) is not used more widely in libraries.

Journal

Performance Measurement and Metrics – Emerald Publishing

Published: Oct 31, 2008

Keywords: Decision making; Libraries; Assessment; Organizational analysis

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