Are we effective? How would we know? Approaches to the evaluation of library services in Lithuania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Purpose

A comparison of methods for evaluating the performance of library services in three European countries – Lithuania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom – is given, with emphasis on developing trends and novel methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The published and unpublished literature is analysed and evaluated, to bring out themes and comparisons.

Findings

Common themes are identified, and suggestions made as to how the competences of the library profession can be improved, and practitioners supported, in embedding performance evaluation into a more evidence‐based practice.

Originality/value

This is the only paper to date making explicit international comparisons of evaluation of library services.

Citation

Bawden, D., Petuchovaite, R. and Vilar, P. (2005), "Are we effective? How would we know? Approaches to the evaluation of library services in Lithuania, Slovenia and the United Kingdom", New Library World, Vol. 106 No. 9/10, pp. 454-463. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800510623137