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- Description
- Table of Contents
- About the authors
- Reviews
Both the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and the Public Library Association (PLA) provide important data services. For library managers and administrators, the key to the data's usefulness is knowing how to extract and apply the most relevant information to managing a library and improving accountability. A companion volume to the authors' earlier book Getting Started with Evaluation, this guide illustrates how to use the data to support value, collection use, benchmarking, and other best practices. This important resource
- Identifies key metrics in ACRLMetrics and PLAmetrics
- Demonstrates how to perform techniques for developing and using metrics
- Offers exercises that illustrate how to produce meaningful metrics and reports, accessible via a free web portal
- Shows how to move towards outcomes assessments while simultaneously embracing value
- Includes numerous examples to guide readers through the data services' web interfaces screen-by-screen
Managers at academic and public libraries, administrators, and library trustees will find this book a vital tool for accountability and advocacy.
List of Figures, Tables, and Text BoxesPrefaceAcknowledgments
Chapter 1: The Context for Libraries Today and Beyond Evidence-Based Management and PlanningRelevant DatabasesData ReportsGoing Beyond Just Library MetricsRelevant StudiesCautionsConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 2: Accountability What Is the Return on Investment?And the Value Is . . .The Two Data ServicesConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 3: Collections Evaluation of the Physical CollectionsAnalysis of Use of MaterialsUse of Interlibrary Loan ServicesMaterials Availability StudiesEvaluation of the e-Resource CollectionsConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 4: Services Relevant Methods of Data CollectionLibQUAL+LibSatConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 5: Staffing Why Is It Important to Understand Staffing?Organizing Information before Studying StaffingMetrics to Collect concerning CapacityMetrics to Collect concerning OccurrencesStaffing Studies for Internal Decision MakingStaffing Studies Using External DataLibrary Standards and Best Practices (Staffing)Concluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 6: Benchmarking and Benchmarking Studies Why Should Libraries Benchmark?Types of Benchmarking ProcessesSteps in the Benchmarking ProcessWhat Do Libraries Benchmark?Identifying Benchmarking PartnersMetrics for Library Benchmarking StudiesSources of, and Compiling, Library Benchmarking DataBenchmarking Association and State Library Standards and GuidelinesConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 7: Best Practices Why Libraries Use Best PracticesDiscovering Best PracticesFunctions and Services for Best PracticesNational Reporting SourcesLibrary Standards and Best PracticesConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 8: Moving toward Outcomes Assessment While Embracing Value Relevant Questions from the Data ServicesOther Data SetsValue of the Library to Its CommunityConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 9: Use Facilities UseSelected Services UseCollections UseTechnology UseOutreach UseValues and Use: A Customer PerspectiveConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 10: Presenting the Findings Understand the AudienceFocus on BenefitsProvide ContextBe CredibleImprove Communication SkillsStage the Release of InformationAsk for FeedbackConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes Chapter 11: Managing with Data (Evidence) AccountabilityRelevance and ValueEvidence-Based Decision MakingPlanned Organizational ChangeAnother Major Data SetInstitutional ReputationConcluding ThoughtsExercisesNotes
Appendix: Answers to Chapter ExercisesAbout the AuthorsIndex
"A must-read for administrators, trustees, and all staff concerned with leveraging data to manage libraries and improve accountability."
— Against the Grain
"A useful introduction to two of the major data tools that libraries can use to help guide and shape decisions ... more experienced data users will still find much of value in the exercise questions and the overall discussion."
— Technicalities
"Each chapter provides the opportunity to gain real experience through examples and exercises that utilize complimentary access to a subset of data from the two data services. This approach solidifies the ideas presented and encourages the reader to expand upon these themes to incorporate other sources of data to fashion a management process that addresses the mission and visions of the institution or the community … This book would serve students in LIS masters programs studying library management as well as current and future department heads and directors in public and academic libraries looking to improve skills in assessment, decision making, and communicating value to stakeholders."
— ARBA
"I like this book. Too much of what is written about program evaluation (and indeed about library management in general) is written as if the problems are abstract. However, as any manager can tell you, that is anything but the case. Those working in the field need what they need now, and this text offers that. While a deep reading of the book might be useful, one can spend a few hours with Managing with Data and get a clear understanding of what is meant by evidence-based decision making, how these databases can support that approach, and how to use the data generated effectively."
— Technical Services Quarterly