Performance Measurement and Metrics

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to report on the findings of the two-year Association of Research Libraries (ARL) sponsored project, “Making Library Assessment Work: Practical Approaches to Effective and Sustainable Assessment,”; it aims to examine the organizational factors that facilitate and impede effective data use and the implications for assessment in research libraries.

Design/methodology/approach – Information was gathered from a variety of sources, including: a self-evaluation of assessment activities and needs done by each of the 24 participating libraries; extensive discussion with a designated contact at each library; a review of library and institutional sources such as annual reports, strategic plans, accreditation self-studies, ARL and IPEDS statistics; and the observations and discussion that occurred during 1.5 day site visits.

Findings – The paper finds that libraries surveyed have made some progress incorporating data in decision making and services improvement, but there is much work to be done.

Originality/value – This is not an evidence-based practice study but rather one that examines why evidence (the data on which a decision may be based) is not used more widely in libraries.