Challenges for Library Assessment

Susan GibbonsVice Provost

Andrew H. & Janet Dayton Neilly DeanRiver Campus LibrariesUniversity of Rochester

Attraction of the Quantitative• We love to count–Precision–Automated–Weighty

• What are we counting?• What do the numbers actually tell us?

Reference Queries• 97, 850 queries in 1996• 47,950 queries in 2006• It’s all because of the Internet, right?

Reference Queries• 97, 850 queries in 1996• 47,950 queries in 2006• It’s all because of the Internet, right?–Computer queues

Show us what you carry with You all of the time.

Reference Queries• 97, 850 queries in 1996• 47,950 queries in 2006• It’s all because of the Internet, right?–Computer queues–41% of ARL library homepages don’t have

phone numbers

•2-3 miles•Out of dorm by 8:30am•Peek study 11pm-1am•Few formal meals•Carrying everything•Very structured & busy

Reference Queries• 97, 850 queries in 1996• 47,950 queries in 2006• It’s all because of the Internet, right?–Computer queues–41% of ARL library homepages don’t have

phone numbers–Reference hours are off student schedules

Bibliographic Tools• Graduate students’ magic wand–Bibliographic tool• EndNote• RefWorks

–Bibliographic tool• Marketing campaign

–Bibliographic tool• Timing is everything

Uniqueness of User Communities

Curriculum Traditional vs. On-Line

Socio-economic status Climate

Tenure vs. Adjunct IT infrastructure

Campus size Residential vs. Commuter

Assessment• Every campus is different; • therefore every library’s services, digital

presence and facilities must be different;• therefore, every library needs local

assessment methods• Remember: Accountability is local

Qualitative Assessment• Growing toolkit• Skill set is usually within reach• Subject recruitment is not hard• Opportunity for wide participation– Share experience leads to better and easier

execution of change