An Action Plan for Outcomes Assessment in Your Library, by Peter Hernon and Robert E. Dugan

Abstract

What is the difference between an output and an outcome, between accountability and assessment, between an objective and a learning outcome? These are the kinds of questions that are answered in this ALA publication. As many accrediting agencies and college and university administrations are demanding more assessment information and accountability from all parts of the institution, libraries must find ways to report what they do in new ways. How do the library's programs and services affect and change the students? Confusion exists because the kinds of data and statistics that libraries have traditionally gathered do not answer the questions of true assessment of student learning outcomes. The goal of this book is to clear up some of the confusion by giving ideas and plans for assessment. If assessment involves thinking differently about what we do and how we do it, then this book will act as a guide through the changes.Each chapter in this book is well-researched and documented. Chapter 1 deals with definitions and the statements of each of the regional accrediting agencies as they relate to assessment and how it applies to information literacy. Examples of guidelines and plans from several colleges and universities that have already been through the process are given in chapter 2. The planning process used at the Sawyer Library at Suffolk University comprises chapter 3. First, the University recog-