This document outlines UBC Library's assessment activities and initiatives. It discusses keeping users and stakeholders at the center of assessment work, assessing return on investment and library value through quantifiable outcomes, and effectively communicating assessment data through various visual presentation methods tailored to different audiences. The role of the Assessment Librarian is also described as coordinating the library-wide assessment program, developing assessment methodologies, and helping communicate assessment activities and results.

1. Jeremy Buhler
UBC Library
Assessment Librarian
jeremy.buhler@ubc.ca
Assessment activities at
UBC Library

2. Key academic library initiatives

3. Key UBC academic library initiatives

4. Outline
UBC Library assessment overview
Keeping users/stakeholders at the center
ROI and library value
Data presentation and communication

5. Role of Assessment Librarian
Coordinate library-wide assessment program
Develop and share expertise of assessment
methodologies
Help communicate assessment activities and results

6. Data audit (aka housekeeping)
Why do we collect this?
Who cares?
So what?

7. Keeping the user/stakeholder at the centre
How will this benefit our users?
Focus outward. Even when collecting data about
internal processes, the desired outcome is to
maintain or increase UBC Library’s positive
impact on its user communities.

8. Keeping assessment activities focused
What do you want to assess?
Why do you want to assess it?
What will you do with the results?
How much is the information worth?

9. User centered impact statements
The library does x
Stakeholders do y (thanks to library services)

10. User centered impact statements
Link statements to strategic plans or to library
standards.
e.g. CHLA Standards for Library and Information Services in Canadian
Healthcare Facilities

11. Library ROI and value
ROI studies rely on quantifiable outcomes
(time saved, market price of resources used, perceived
value to users, etc.)

12. Library ROI and value
ROI studies rely on quantifiable outcomes
(time saved, market price of resources used, perceived
value to users, etc.)
Hubbard, Douglas W., How to measure anything: finding the
value of intangibles in business

13. Library ROI and value
Suggestion: start small by considering ROI of
a specific service or resource.
Comprehensive ROI studies are great but
expensive –we can work on a smaller practical
scale to meet immediate short term needs

14. Data presentation and communication
Know your audience. Does a particular
audience respond better to qualitative or
quantitative data?
Learn from best practices in the visual
presentation of data

15. Shift from print to electronic: print circ & $$$

16. Data presentation and communication
UBC Library Branch Profiles:
http://public.tableausoftware.com/profile/li
b.assess#!/vizhome/UBCLibraryBranchProfil
esbyFiscalYear-
ConfluenceV/BranchProfilesbyFiscalYear

17. IKBLC Study room occupancy, Mar 2013
% slots free during peak
period, 12-6pm

18. Self-serve as % of total circulation, 2012/13

19. LibQUAL: Change over time
The printed library materials I need for my work
Health Sciences Humanities Science/Math Social Sciences

20. The demonstration of value is not about looking
valuable; it’s about being valuable.
Oakleaf, M., 2010. The Value of Academic Libraries: A Comprehensive Research Review and
Report, Chicago: Association of College and Research Libraries, p141.