Assessment
Plan for University Libraries 2005-2007
The University Libraries has an ongoing
assessment program that is detailed in part in the University Libraries
Decision Matrix FY05. As part of this
ongoing program, the University Libraries will focus during the next two years
on developing greater coordination of its assessment activities, improving
outcomes analysis, and undertaking a major user satisfaction assessment. To this end, the Dean of University Libraries
has appointed an assessment team to work with individual library units to
schedule and coordinate assessment activities and to assist in the
documentation of results.
Examples of individual assessment activities
to be undertaken during the next two years are detailed below.
Overall
assessment
A Implementation of LibQUAL+. Planning will take place during Fall 2005 and the survey will be conducted during Spring , 2006. LibQUAL+ is a suite of services that libraries use to solicit, track, understand, and act upon users’ opinions of service quality. The survey instrument has been used by over 400 libraries and measures user perceptions of Service Affect, Information Control, and Library as Place. The survey will be distributed to WSU students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Analysis of results by the assessment team will take place during the spring and summer of 2006. Feedback from the survey will be used to enhance services where indicated.
B Focus
groups. In Fall 2005, focus
groups will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the Libraries’
marketing plan and student satisfaction at public service points. As a follow-up to LibQual+, focus groups will be conducted
targeting specific areas highlighted by the LibQUAL
survey. These focus groups will take
place during 2006 and will be designed to center attention on user satisfaction
of targeted services and the outcomes produced by the use of these
services. Feedback from the focus groups
will be used to make adjustments to library services.
C. Senate Library committee and Student
Government Association. Continue meeting with these groups to determine
their perceptions of how well the University Libraries is meeting their
learning and research needs.
D. ACRL Standards for Libraries in Higher
Education (2004). Evaluate how well
the University libraries are meeting the recently released Association for
College and Research Libraries (ACRL) standards. A task force has been
appointed to analyze the components of the new standards. Over the next two years the University Libraries
will use the standards as a template for documenting the effectiveness of the
Libraries’ programs in meeting the learning and research needs of its clientele
and for initiating enhancement efforts.
Enhancement efforts will be evaluated through appropriate assessment
techniques.
Targeted
Assessments
A. User Services – Evaluate the
effectiveness of library services targeted towards assisting students, faculty,
staff and the community in using the Libraries’ resources to meet their
learning and research needs and to enhance their outcomes. Data gathered will be used to reveal
enhancements needed to improve learning and research outcomes.
1. Evaluate the effectiveness of user identification of and access to
resources by documenting the number of Internet web sites, e-journals,
and other full-text resources cataloged and linked to the library information
system, the number of new print resources added each year, and by documenting
the number of electronic finding aids
and digital collections made available by the Department of Special Collections
to student clientele.
2. Continue measuring the use of physical library resources, in-house and external.
3. Continue measuring the use library reference and information services.
4. Continue documenting the number of annual transactions for use of electronic resources and the library information system.
5. Continue documenting the number of interlibrary loan and document delivery requests successfully filled and assessment of turn-around time of interlibrary loan requests.
6. Use monthly report format to document the number of individual student and faculty contacts that occur away from established public service points.
7. Conduct usability study of website during the redesign project and of library offerings through the new portal site.
B. Collections
1. Analyze and report results of web survey conducted by
Collection Development addressing
student and faculty preferences and needs related to print and electronic
collections.
2. Analyze and report results of Boise Survey comparing the collections of the University Libraries to other similar university libraries.
3. Measure effectiveness of collections by analyzing use statistics of print, multimedia, digital, and instructional resources.
4. Assess balance between collection acquisitions and institutional goals and priorities by comparing use statistics with program enrollments, degree levels, national/international publication output, and cost of materials.
5. Continue evaluating collections in selected disciplines as part of long-term project to update collection development policies that focus on building relevant and up-to-date collections that meet classroom and research needs.
6. Conduct serials reviews as needed
7. Implement an
electronic resources management program to provide better control of electronic
products and to improve the collection of management data needed to assess the
effectiveness of collection acquisitions decisions.
C.
Information Literary
1. Analyze the
results of the recent information literacy survey. Continued
evaluation of existing bibliographic and information instructional methods and
strategies in light of recognized standards for Information Literacy.
Evaluations will include in-class “minute” papers and evaluation of student
assignments. The information literacy program will be further evaluated by documenting
the session content, number of sessions or workshops conducted, and number of
participants taught in relation to the size of student body, the size of the
faculty and staff, and the relevant disciplinary needs and requirements. The results of the evaluation will provide
the feedback necessary to design an enhanced information literacy program.
2. Coordinate with the Faculty Senate General Education Committee’s evaluation and development efforts as a component of the University Libraries’ Information Literacy Implementation Plan. Meet with the Faculty Senate General Education Committee at least annually to review and provide feedback on the required library component in each general education course.
D. Resources/ Budget (The activities here are used to evaluate the adequacy of the University Libraries’ budget to support and enhance the learning and research needs of it clientele.)
1.
Work with Faculty Senate Library Committee to analyze funding needs and develop
a plan for ongoing enhancement of the University Libraries’ budget.
2.
Work with Foundation to assess and develop opportunities for increased
donations.
3.
Evaluate areas of library services that may be eligible for grant
funding.
4. Document amount of external funding
received annually.
5. Continue analysis of library funding for
services, collections, and personnel as compared to national peers and overall
university spending.
6.
Document the number of purchasing consortial
activities in which the University Libraries participates.
7.
Continue analyzing library funding in terms of use per student,
enrollment, and degrees offered.
E. Facilities/Equipment (Data gathered here will evaluate the
effectiveness of the University Libraries’ facilities and equipment in meeting
and enhancing learning
and research outcomes.)
1. Analyze the effectiveness of facilities and technology by documenting the
number of users entering the University Libraries’ facilities including the
branches and 24-Hour study room.
2.
Survey the percent occupancy of public workstations, study rooms, and
general study areas in the spring and fall.
3.
Analyzing the circulation and use of equipment. Evaluate demand versus
availability.
4. Complete analysis of library space needs.
5.
Evaluate ability of Libraries to provide remote assess of services and
collections to distance learners and researchers.
6. Develop
program to have ergonomic evaluations of staff workspaces on a regular
basis. Perform evaluation of workspace
for all new employees within the first month.
F.
Community Engagement and Service (Data in this section will be used to evaluate
the effectiveness of the University Libraries community engagement and service and to
highlight any needed improvements. This
information will be used to develop any needed enhancements.)
1. Document number of Wichitans, businesses, agencies, public schools, and academic libraries using our direct lending, interlibrary loan services, and
Special
Collections materials. Also document the number of
resources.
2. Document the number
of high school tours and classes conducted by library faculty and staff.
3. Conduct annual
review the number and variety of registered external clientele using the
Libraries’ services and collections. Evaluate impact of external users on
resource availability to WSU faculty, students and staff.
4. Evaluated the
extent to which the University Libraries are successful in providing open
access to acquired resources for
on-site use. Determined what percent of licensed products allow walk-in
use.
5. Evaluate community user policies and services
to determine to what extent the Libraries maintain policies and procedures that
provide a welcoming, easy to use, and responsive intellectual environment for Greater
Wichita Metropolitan Area community users.
6. Document the
bibliographic number of records added to national databases and the number of
unique resources digitized and made available over the Internet.
7. Develop mechanisms
to annually review the number of libraries nationally accessing project
DOCUMENTS DATA MINER.
8. Continue tracking the number of public
programs presented, number of program attendees, membership
in the Libraries’ support group, number of donors, and total number of articles
or recognitions appearing in local or national media.
9. Document the number of successful state-wide
or multi-state initiatives the University Libraries have participated in that
resulted in additional resources being made available to the public.
10. Document participation of library faculty and
staff on campus, community, regional, national, or professional
committees or boards.
G. Personnel (Information
gathered here will be used to monitor the effectiveness of the University
Libraries human resources in meeting or enhancing the learning or research outcomes of its clientele. Feedback from the data will be used by the
Libraries’ administration to develop enhancements to its personnel resources and
programs.)
1.
Continue with program of annual evaluations and goal setting of library
faculty and staff.
2.
Continue working with Human Resources to evaluate classified positions
to determine if positions are in need of reclassifications to different grades.
3. Complete
review of current Tenure and Promotion policy. Updates in this policy should
reflect changing faculty responsibilities.
Receive appropriate endorsement and implement.
4.
Develop ongoing program to evaluate staffing levels as compared to peer
staffing levels to determine if effective and efficient levels are in place.
5. Conduct formal annual analysis of faculty
and staff workloads as a component of establishing library and
departmental goals and priorities.
6. Evaluate
faculty and staff development programs by documenting the annual number of
activities and funding for such activities as workshops, job-related training,
courses, or conferences.
7. Document the number of library faculty recommended for merit increases and the number of faculty and staff receiving local/regional/national recognition for excellence in job performance and professional activities.
8. Develop a program to obtain job satisfaction
feedback from library faculty and staff.
Program would include obtaining information about satisfaction on
organizational communication, availability of training, and administrative
support for job performance and library goals.
9.
Conduct exit interviews with all departing personnel to elicit information
on the quality of the job experience and suggestions for improvement.
10. Review of each
vacant position to determine if job description and requirements are compatible
with the programmatic and service needs of the Libraries. Revise or reallocate position if review indicates.
11.
Document number of positions filled and qualifications of faculty and
staff.
12. Annually monitor recruitment process to ensure that diversity goals are being met.
H. Administration (Data in this section will be used to monitor the overall effectiveness of the University Libraries’ administration in supporting the University’s learning and research objectives. Changes or enhancements will be implemented by the library administration based on data gathered.)
1. Evaluate recent administrative reorganization to determine if structure is effective in facilitating the goals and mission of the Libraries.
2. Complete current revision of University Libraries’ mission statement to assure that it continues to reflect the goals and mission of the University.
3. Continue annual review of goals through use of the University Accountability Matrix.
4. Annually review statistics maintained by the Libraries to assure that they contribute to overall goal setting, library decision making, and national survey participation. Initiate new statistical measures or eliminate old measures as determined by the review.
5. Develop report management system to efficiently organize productivity reports and statistics