Reference Service Statistics & Assessment

Reference Service Statistics & Assessment PDF Author:
Publisher: Association of Research Libr
ISBN:
Category : Academic libraries
Languages : en
Pages : 152

Get Book

Book Description

Reference Service Statistics & Assessment

Reference Service Statistics & Assessment PDF Author:
Publisher: Association of Research Libr
ISBN:
Category : Academic libraries
Languages : en
Pages : 152

Get Book

Book Description


Reference Assessment and Evaluation

Reference Assessment and Evaluation PDF Author: Tom Diamond
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136445927
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 203

Get Book

Book Description
Learn effective ways to assess and evaluate reference services in YOUR library Innovation and the constant evolution of technology continually spur academic librarians to find superior ways to deliver high quality reference service to students, faculty, and researchers. Reference Assessment and Evaluation offers librarians and administrators a plethora of fresh ideas and methods to effectively assess and evaluate reference service in any academic library. Leading experts share their own best practices in delivering digital reference, training staff and student workers, and providing instruction through case studies from academic libraries of all sizes. Because of fiscal pressures, the need to attract the best and brightest students and faculty to the academy, and increased competition from Internet search engines, the evaluation and assessment of reference service remains one of the most important challenges for academic libraries. Reference Assessment and Evaluation provides practical tips and clear examples on assessing and evaluating several diverse aspects of reference services. This book discusses in detail case studies from various colleges and universities on wide-ranging issues such as virtual reference evaluation, merging reference desks, peer evaluations, library instruction, and staff development. Academic libraries of all types will find opportunities to modify these innovative ideas to remain at the forefront of reference service. Topics in Reference Assessment and Evaluation include: a case study of the library at the University of Colorado at Boulder’s efforts to implement a drop-in research consultation program for students enrolled in the introductory writing course coordination of an annual professional development program for specialized instruction targeted at faculty and staff members at Colorado State University peer observation between the reference staff members of Augustana College Library and St. Ambrose University Library the merging of San Jose State University’s government publication desk with the reference services deskalong with the public library’s reference desk Valparaiso University’s main library’s training and use of student assistants analyzing user and librarian satisfaction within virtual reference transactions evaluation of the University of South Alabama’s Baugh Biomedical Library’s chat reference service evaluation of the University of Texas at Arlington’s virtual reference service library technology’s impact on reference desk statistics statistical analysis of reference desk data for staffing needs at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Reference Assessment and Evaluation is timely, important reading for academic references librarians and supervisors.

Evaluating Reference Services

Evaluating Reference Services PDF Author: Jo Bell Whitlatch
Publisher: American Library Association
ISBN: 9780838907870
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 236

Get Book

Book Description
With this handy new guidebook, reference luminary Jo Bell Whitlatch outlines practical methods for evaluating and delivering excellent reference service to the technology-savvy library user of today.

Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age

Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age PDF Author: Eric Novotny
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1135804354
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 252

Get Book

Book Description
Effectively assess whether any library is making good use of the reference/user service resources available today Libraries need to develop standards by which they can assess their individual performances in a larger context, and Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age makes significant contributions to this ongoing discussion. The book addresses its subject matter via approaches ranging from case studies of individual libraries to general discussions of best practices. The contributors explore the impact of the Internet on the field of evaluation, focusing on electronic reference and instruction. They highlight current issues, present research results, and offer expert advice on how to assess online reference and instruction. All chapters are well referenced to facilitate further study, and many include tables, appendixes, checklists, and other helpful features that make difficult information easy to access and understand. The chapters that make up Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age are as rich and varied as the backgrounds of their authors. Experienced researchers provide the results of studies conducted to determine the nature and effectiveness of the online reference services offered by various libraries. Practitioners and administrators from different institutional settings (academic libraries, public libraries, consortiums, etc.) provide their perspectives on the issues facing librarians who need to assess the electronic services they provide. In this important new book: Andrew Briedenbagh shows how a chat service can be implemented and suggests which data should be collected for it Buff Hirko examines VET: the Virtual Evaluation Toolkit Ruth Vondracek shares the experiences of a university library as it entered a statewide e-reference consortium, and offers advice and issues to consider before entering such a partnership librarians from San Jose State University present a model for evaluating electronic reference services that can be used in public or academic libraries Kathleen Kern discusses holistic evaluation chat transcripts are addressed in several chapters, including Joseph Fennewald’s comparisons of question categories, Lesley Moyo’s analysis of the use of instruction in the virtual environment, and Caleb Tucker-Raymond’s proposed set of quality measures for chat reference Laurie Probst and Michael Pelikan report on the use of a Tell Us What You Think button to gather user feedback Kristi Nelson and Catherine L. Ross examine a research study that asked library school students to submit a reference question online and report on their experiences Melissa Gross, Charles McClure, and R. David Lankes suggest measures to determine the cost and benefits of a virtual reference service librarians from Utah State University describe the development of their online instructional module Assessing Reference and User Services in a Digital Age is designed as essential reading for library administrators, public service librarians, and researchers. It provides general advice for practitioners as well as an examination of research results and methodological issues. We urge you to consider making it part of your professional or teaching collection today.

Reference Assessment and Evaluation

Reference Assessment and Evaluation PDF Author: Tom Diamond
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136445994
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 204

Get Book

Book Description
Learn effective ways to assess and evaluate reference services in YOUR library Innovation and the constant evolution of technology continually spur academic librarians to find superior ways to deliver high quality reference service to students, faculty, and researchers. Reference Assessment and Evaluation offers librarians and administrators a plethora of fresh ideas and methods to effectively assess and evaluate reference service in any academic library. Leading experts share their own best practices in delivering digital reference, training staff and student workers, and providing instruction through case studies from academic libraries of all sizes. Because of fiscal pressures, the need to attract the best and brightest students and faculty to the academy, and increased competition from Internet search engines, the evaluation and assessment of reference service remains one of the most important challenges for academic libraries. Reference Assessment and Evaluation provides practical tips and clear examples on assessing and evaluating several diverse aspects of reference services. This book discusses in detail case studies from various colleges and universities on wide-ranging issues such as virtual reference evaluation, merging reference desks, peer evaluations, library instruction, and staff development. Academic libraries of all types will find opportunities to modify these innovative ideas to remain at the forefront of reference service. Topics in Reference Assessment and Evaluation include: a case study of the library at the University of Colorado at Boulder’s efforts to implement a drop-in research consultation program for students enrolled in the introductory writing course coordination of an annual professional development program for specialized instruction targeted at faculty and staff members at Colorado State University peer observation between the reference staff members of Augustana College Library and St. Ambrose University Library the merging of San Jose State University’s government publication desk with the reference services desk—along with the public library’s reference desk Valparaiso University’s main library’s training and use of student assistants analyzing user and librarian satisfaction within virtual reference transactions evaluation of the University of South Alabama’s Baugh Biomedical Library’s chat reference service evaluation of the University of Texas at Arlington’s virtual reference service library technology’s impact on reference desk statistics statistical analysis of reference desk data for staffing needs at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Reference Assessment and Evaluation is timely, important reading for academic references librarians and supervisors.

Reference and Information Services

Reference and Information Services PDF Author: Kay Ann Cassell
Publisher: American Library Association
ISBN: 1555708595
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 532

Get Book

Book Description
Search skills of today bear little resemblance to searches through print publications. Reference service has become much more complex than in the past, and is in a constant state of flux. Learning the skill sets of a worthy reference librarian can be challenging, unending, rewarding, and-- yes, fun.

Assessment and Accountability in Reference Work

Assessment and Accountability in Reference Work PDF Author: Susan Griswold Blandy
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1000755029
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 222

Get Book

Book Description
This book, first published in 1992, explores the issue of library assessment methods and the impact of accountability on the delivery of reference services. It is a call for librarians to actively adopt performance measures and learn how to work with the results. It analyses a wealth of assessment methods that librarians can use to collect data and create standards that are valid, practical, and useful in accounting for reference services. Some of the methodologies described include quantitative measures, qualitative measures, patron surveys, questionnaires, interviews, case studies, peer review, unobtrusive testing, and even updating the library's policies and procedures manual as a way to evaluate services. A variety of assessment methods for reference services are applied to all types of libraries. Chapters in Assessment and Accountability in Reference Work describe how a small town library defends the relevancy of its services at a town meeting, how a special library documents the value of its services to cost-conscious management, and how academic libraries can become involved in university- and college-level assessment programs. Librarians seeking to develop their own assessment methods will benefit from practical advice on assessing diversity in the library, and helpful suggestions for improving reference services through training workshops, peer-coaching, and changes in organizational climate.

Using Digital Analytics for Smart Assessment

Using Digital Analytics for Smart Assessment PDF Author: Tabatha Farney
Publisher: American Library Association
ISBN: 0838915981
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 168

Get Book

Book Description
Tracking the library user's journey is no simple task in the digital world; users can often navigate through a series of different websites, including library websites, discovery tools, link resolvers, and more just to view a single journal article. Your library collects massive amounts of data related to this journey—probably more than you realize, and almost certainly more than you analyze. Too often library analytic programs simplify data into basic units of measurements that miss useful insights. Here, data expert Farney shows you how to maximize your efforts: you’ll learn how to improve your data collection, clean your data, and combine different data sources. Teaching you how to identify and analyze areas that fit your library’s priorities, this book covers case studies of library projects with digital analytics;ways to use email campaign data from MailChimp or ConstantContact;how to measure click-through rates from unavailable items in the catalog to the ILL module;getting data from search tools such as library catalogs, journal search portals, link resolvers, and digital repositories;using COUNTER compliant data from your electronic resources;techniques for using Google Tag Manager for custom metrics and dimensions;descriptions of analytics tools ranging from library analytics tools like Springshare’s LibInsights and Orangeboy’s Savannah to more focused web analytics tools like Google Analytics, Piwik, and Woopra; anddata visualization tools like Tableau or Google Data Studio. Focusing on digital analytics principles and concepts, this book walks you through the many tools available, including step-by-step examples for typical library needs.

Numeric Data Services and Sources for the General Reference Librarian

Numeric Data Services and Sources for the General Reference Librarian PDF Author: Lynda Kellam
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 1780632592
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 248

Get Book

Book Description
The proliferation of online access to social science statistical and numeric data sources, such as the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Fact Finder, has lead to an increased interest in supporting these sources in academic libraries. Many large libraries have been able to devote staff to data services for years, and recently smaller academic libraries have recognized the need to provide numeric data services and support. This guidebook serves as a primer to developing and supporting social science statistical and numerical data sources in the academic library. It provides strategies for the establishment of data services and offers short descriptions of the essential sources of free and commercial social science statistical and numeric data. Finally, it discusses the future of numeric data services, including the integration of statistics and data into library instruction and the use of Web 2.0 tools to visualize data. Written for a general reference audience with little knowledge of data services and sources who would like to incorporate support into their general reference practice Combines information on establishing data services with an introduction to available statistical and numeric data sources Provides insight into the integration of statistics and data into library instruction and the social science research process

Virtual Reference Services

Virtual Reference Services PDF Author: Stacey Kimmel
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 9780789020451
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 214

Get Book

Book Description
A state-of-the-art guide to virtual reference services! This essential book provides a snapshot of virtual reference (VR) services in all kinds of library settings and discusses the issues, trends, and practices involved in offering this kind of service. The chapters go beyond descriptions of services to offer practical advice and suggestions for product selection, policy setting, technical support, collaborative efforts, staffing, training, marketing, budgeting, evaluation, and administration. Case studies, relevant Web sites, and vendor information are included. An ample selection of tables, figures, and illustrations makes important information easy to access and understand. From the editors: “The purpose of this book is to describe the state of the art in virtual reference services, by which we mean real-time, interactive reference service with a librarian, offered online via chat or videoconferencing. Significant players in virtual reference services have prepared chapters for this book. Some of these address virtual reference as a service trend. Others describe services in a variety of settings, including public, academic, and special libraries. Some focus on one aspect of virtual reference, such as statistics/evaluation, policy setting, or the reference interaction. Our intent is to provide an opportunity for reflection on the impact of virtual reference services on librarians, clients, and libraries, as well as to offer a glimpse of the future.” Virtual Reference Services: Issues and Trends addresses topics that will help institutions and VR professionals provide more effective services. Chapters focus on: the principles and concepts of continuous quality improvement (CQI) for virtual reference, such as the Kano Model of user satisfaction—and how it can help libraries improve their VR services a case study of the adoption of VR service at the Suffolk Cooperative Library System in New York, with emphasis on the benefits of maintaining a user-centered perspective to help inform decisions about procedures and services staff selection, structuring the work environment, scheduling, and other VR issues at a large university library collaborative VR services in the state of New Jersey and the development of the “Q and A NJ” initiative and the experiences of two participating public libraries the development and testing of innnovative software developed through a partnership with a high tech company statewide and regional VR collaboration in Florida, with a comprehensive and detailed overview of that state's VR initiatives post-implementation issues such as high call volume, difficult users, training and quality assessment, and service improvement a report from a medical/dental library participating in a multitype library collaborative VR service—with insights on budgeting, training, administration/coordination, morale, marketing, user reaction, and how a health sciences library contributes to (and benefits from) this kind of initiative VR services at The Boeing Corporation a model and framework for collecting and making use of statistical data in a VR service, with AskERIC's implementation as an example the nature of the user-librarian VR interaction, with an insightful analysis of chat transcripts from Carnegie Mellon University how users interact with various services offered on library Web pages, with an illuminating comparison of the use of the library Web site search tool at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale vs. the use of the VR service available on that site