Libraries have become increasingly interested in studying the use of spaces within their buildings. Traditional methods for tracking library building use, such as gate counts, provide little information on what patrons do once they are in the library; therefore, new methods for studying space usage are being developed. Particularly promising are…

Article describes attempts to develop techniques of evaluation for a management course run for employees of the Manchester Public Libraries. (Editor)

This interview focuses on usability testing, one method for evaluating whether library Web sites are useful for users. Discussion includes: benefits and drawbacks of usability testing; why it is important; lessons learned from testing; advice for someone interested in doing a study; and recommendations. (AEF)

The University of Denver Libraries employed SCORE (Service Components Reliability and Efficiency), a cost analysis technique, to measure effectiveness and cost of reference activity. This report examines the results and the problems encountered in application of this methodology. A reference model, designed as a flow chart, was developed by…

Libraries have failed to use marketing for three reasons: (1) a misunderstanding that equates marketing with publicity; (2) a lack of understanding of what marketing is; and (3) disagreement about the role of the client. Societal-marketing tries to balance patron demands with long-term societal needs in evaluating product excellence. (AEF)

Discusses associations between levels of service point use, population information and library inputs, based on data from two London boroughs in respect of individual static service points. Outlines methods of deriving catchment area data using membership information or postcode data from a user survey. Describes a method for librarians seeking to…

Two trends in the use of quantitative methods of evaluating libraries that have evolved from general systems analysis are discussed in this literature review. The cost effectiveness approach is aimed at discovering new, improved procedures and devices for providing library services; such alternatives make it possible to evaluate how efficiently a…

Examines two traditional approaches to the measurement of library service--the gathering of circulation and reference statistics--and relates them in a statistical model in an attempt to define real standards against which a library's activity can be compared. Graphs comparing reference and circulation statistics are included. (Author/JD)

Discusses the Request for Proposal (RFP) process (formal document asking vendors to submit proposal for system meeting specific needs of library) employed by Canadian libraries as major step in selection of online system. System selection, evaluation, and implementation, Request for Information, estimating costs, and contract negotiation are…

Identifies research topics related to outcomes assessment in a networked environment and discusses issues affecting these topics. Proposes a framework to relate traditional evaluation components and terminology to the networked environment and identifies factors in the networked environment that affect assessment methods. Suggests outcomes…

As our society moves increasingly from an era of affluence to one of scarcity, the evaluation and assessment of publicly supported services will become even more crucial and necessary to ensure that public resources are being expended in the most effective manner. Evaluation of library service effectiveness is defined in this paper in terms of…

THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES THE FINDINGS OF A SEARCH IN THE LIBRARY AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES LITERATURE TO DETERMINE THE STANDARDS AND METHODS OF EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LIBRARY SERVICES AND OPERATIONS. A MATRIX IS USED TO SHOW WHICH MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, EITHER ANALYTICAL OR OPERATING, MAY BE APPLICABLE FOR EVALUATING THE…

This report summarizes (1) data and information collected to facilitate the development of criteria for the evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of Army Technical Libraries; (2) the findings on the mission and objectives of Army Technical Libraries; (3) the areas in which adequate standards for performance are feasible, and (4) presents…

Reviews a variety of techniques for evaluating management in libraries. (JB)

This handbook offers a practical set of ideas to help all types of libraries in the task of marketing their services in an increasingly competitive economy and provides a model program as urged by the White House Conference on Library and Information Services. It is aimed at adult information services in particular, with passing references to…