The Library and Information Research Group (LIRG) has just published my article on methods for demonstrating the value of public libraries. The article provides a literature review of existing quantitative and qualitative evaluation methodologies for demonstrating value across a variety of sectors and analyses the pros and cons of:
- Auditing
- Return on Investment Studies
- Social Impact Audits
- Ethnography
- Tracking Surveys
- Customer Profiling
I’ll also be presenting on this topic at the annual Umbrella Conference on 12th July 2011 at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield. So, if you’re interested in demonstrating the value of public libraries pop along to my session at 11.45am 🙂
This is very useful and opportune at this time where people demand to know the value of the invaluable and the cost of keeping things free. I have added it to an overview of reasons for public libraries at http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/p/reasons-for-public-libraries.html
Thanks Ian. Just checked out your site. Excellent list of resources. Have recommended on Twitter 🙂
Thanks for the recommendation. Just checked now – about twice the number of hits I would normally get this time of day 🙂
Happy to help. It’s a great directory 🙂
May I use your Wordle on Public Libraries News? Also, do let me know if I have missed anything on the directory. Thankee.
Of course – can you please credit it to me though? Thanks! 🙂
But of course 🙂
Any evidence on which approaches have the most impact – if you define impact as influencing budgets and resource allocation?
Hi Ken
One of the most effective methodologies that I’ve come across in terms of proving impact is The Seattle Public Library Central Library : Economic Benefits Assessment:
Click to access SPLCentral_Library_Economic_Impacts.pdf
I’ve also posted a link to a range of ROI and SROI studies on the Voices for the Library website:
http://www.voicesforthelibrary.org.uk/wordpress/?page_id=1814
Hope this is helpful.
Christine