How
do the University Libraries make decisions?
Rather than doing what we’ve always done or what we just think is a good
idea, we try to base our priorities on good data that indicate a need for the
project. Then we follow up with
assessment.
Some
recent examples of how we used data to make decisions or implement programs
include:
Marketing to UNCG Staff
A
survey of UNCG staff in 2009 indicated that most were not aware of Libraries’
services and resources. We developed a
marketing plan that included developing a brochure just for staff and including
the Libraries in New Staff Orientation.
Staff checkouts more than doubled between 2009 and 2013
Journal cancellations
Faced
with budget cuts in 2011-12 we conducted a data-intensive analysis of our academic
journal publisher packages. Using these
objective data points, we developed a draft list of journal cancellations that
was widely shared with faculty for their expert input. As an end result we identified and canceled
the four publisher packages that were yielding the lowest ROI. The net savings
exceed $150,000 annually.
Customer Service
A
“mystery shopper” assessment of our public services conducted in 2010 was quite
positive but indicated that improvement was needed in some areas. We developed customer workshops in summer
2011 which 85% of staff attended. Online
training for student employees was developed which all public services student
employees were required to complete. The
assessment was conducted again in 2012 with significant improvement.
Researcher Space
Use
of our Special Collections and University Archives by researchers increased
over 200% in recent years. We conducted
a survey of recent researchers that provided evidence for a renovation of the
researcher space to provide increased capacity and a comfortable and secure
space to use our growing unique materials.
 |
| Exploring the cello music collections in the new Special Collections and University Archives Research Room |
All
project results along with any presentations or publications are posted on the Libraries’
Assessment LibGuide.
Posted for Kathy Crowe, Associate Dean of University Libraries
Comments
Post a Comment