Outcome evaluation in libraries: approaches and methods

Abstract

Objectives of the workshop

Both in their day-to-day operation and in special activities, libraries hope to bring about positive individual and social effects, like enhancing reading skills, information literacy, ICT skills, etc. Increasingly, funders ask for evidence that they indeed achieve these results. The workshop aims to bring together researchers and students working on or interested in the empirical evaluation of outcomes of libraries’ special programs targeted at (groups of) patrons, to discuss approaches and (qualitative and quantitative) methods in library outcome evaluation. Both standardized (e.g., the ISO standards) and non-formalized approaches and methods will be discussed.