Tools of Academic Library Assessment: the User Survey

Liebst, Anne; Feinmark, David

doi:10.1080/01930826.2016.1199144

Cited by 13 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Quality Quality assessment and other management tools have been applied to libraries for more than fifty years (Orr, 1973). By the 1990s, the measurement of outcomes and quality in higher education had become important to academic administrators (Liebst & Feinmark, 2016) and the change from quality control through quality assurance to total quality management was noted in the LIS community (Brockman, 1992).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Library Users via Surveys and Other Methods—Best Practices for Evidence-Based Library Development

Carlsson

Torngren

2020

Journal of Library Administration

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A survey was performed over all university libraries within the Association of European Research Libraries (LIBER) in order to study how different methods of user input are utilized. Libraries using analysis based on explorative methods-such as UX and process mapping-report significantly increased user knowledge and perceived well-function. Over three-fourths of the respondents reported performing general user surveys. Surveys offer ease of collection, effectively gather researcher user group input and generate data suitable for communicating library value to stakeholders. However, it is resource-demanding to transfer findings into service changes, especially for smaller libraries, and results often support stepwise improvements rather than discovery of new services.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Library Users via Surveys and Other Methods—Best Practices for Evidence-Based Library Development

Carlsson

Torngren

2020

Journal of Library Administration

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“…A successful shift requires the leadership and staff to understand this transformation and the benefits they will receive from actively participating. Studies have reported different methodological approaches to understanding the culture of assessment (Liebst and Feinmark, 2016;Murphy, 2015;Murphy et al, 2009;Passonneau, 2013). For example, Baas et al (2016) applied the Q methodology to help educational institutions devise strategies for reconciling "dueling narratives" on outcome assessment.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Culture of assessment in academic libraries in Kuwait: investigating the current situation and future prospects

Alajmi

Kaisar

2020

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PurposeUsing the Association of Research Libraries' SPEC KIT 303 library assessment framework, this study examines and evaluates academic libraries' efforts toward establishing a culture of assessment.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative questionnaire is employed to collect data. The sample comprises 70 library staff working in eight academic libraries in public and private universities in Kuwait.FindingsThe findings document a readiness to create a culture of assessment in Kuwaiti academic libraries, though this was greater in private universities. Resources to develop this culture, such as assessment and analysis methods and the requisite skills and knowledge, are available, but commitment from academic leaders and plans for a shift toward culture of assessment were not evident. Overall, participating academic library staff acknowledged the value of developing a culture of assessment, but this seems not to be an institutional priorityPractical implicationsThe methodology and findings address gaps in library and information science education and library management on creating a culture of assessment and suggest future research avenues.Originality/valueLibrary assessment is a core function of libraries, but guaranteeing the continuity and consistency of related activities requires an organizational culture that facilitates and supports such assessment. While many articles have focused on the requisites for building a culture of assessment in higher education, few, if any, have assessed academic libraries in the cultural context of the Middle East.

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“…In terms of library-specific surveys, LibQUAL+, originating in 1999, is the survey instrument of choice for many university libraries in the US and internationally, with more than 2,600 institutions reported to have used it (Atkinson & Walton, 2017). A similar survey is administered in most Australian university libraries, administered by the company Insync, and is used for benchmarking across institutions as well as for internal evaluation and planning purposes (Liebst & Feinmark, 2016).…”

Section: User Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing ‘Goodness’: A Review of Quality Frameworks for Australian Academic Libraries

Sputore

Fitzgibbons

2017

Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association

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Quality assessment can help a library link its services and performance to strategic university goals and priorities. A vast body of professional literature describes quality and assessment theory and practice in libraries, including comprehensive International Standards. However there is no single measure of 'goodness' for libraries, and choices must be made to ensure assessment activities are effective and sustainable. Libraries seeking to strategically demonstrate their value and proactively respond to emerging priorities have much to gain from an understanding of this field. This review article aims to highlight the features, advantages and outcomes associated with contemporary approaches to quality management and assessment, and offer sources for further exploration. International Standards are discussed, as well as specific methodologies and approaches. This review is placed in the context of current issues and opportunities for Australian academic libraries. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • A complex range of drivers in the international higher education sector are compelling academic libraries to demonstrate their quality, value and impact. • Qualitative and quantitative assessment methods can be used to effectively collect evidence of the quality, value and impact of the library. • A range of internationally recognised frameworks can help libraries to take a holistic approach to quality assessment. • At a more targeted level, there are a wide range of relevant approaches to assessment that have been successfully used by libraries, and libraries must be strategic in their selection of methods in order to achieve the desired outcomes. • An essential outcome from assessing quality must be communicating quality to clients and stakeholders, ideally in the context of broader and strategic institutional goals.

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Tools of Academic Library Assessment: the User Survey

Cited by 13 publications

References 11 publications

Understanding Library Users via Surveys and Other Methods—Best Practices for Evidence-Based Library Development

Understanding Library Users via Surveys and Other Methods—Best Practices for Evidence-Based Library Development

Culture of assessment in academic libraries in Kuwait: investigating the current situation and future prospects

Assessing ‘Goodness’: A Review of Quality Frameworks for Australian Academic Libraries

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