Data-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections Repositories
Objective – In an environment of shrinking budgets and reduced staffing, this study seeks to identify a comprehensive, integrated assessment strategy to better focus diminished resources within special collections repositories. Methods – This article presents the results of a single case study...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Alberta
2013-06-01
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| Series: | Evidence Based Library and Information Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/eblip/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/19138 |
| _version_ | 1818909615723642880 |
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| author | Melanie Griffin Barbara Lewis Mark I. Greenberg |
| author_facet | Melanie Griffin Barbara Lewis Mark I. Greenberg |
| author_sort | Melanie Griffin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objective – In an environment of shrinking budgets and reduced staffing, this study seeks to identify a comprehensive, integrated assessment strategy to better focus diminished resources within special collections repositories.
Methods – This article presents the results of a single case study conducted in the Special and Digital Collections department at a university library. The department created an holistic assessment model, taking into account both public and technical services, to explore inter-related questions affecting both day-to-day operations as well as long-term, strategic priorities.
Results – Data from a variety of assessment activities positively impacted the department’s practices, informing decisions made about staff skill sets, training, and scheduling; outreach activities; and prioritizing technical services. The results provide a comprehensive view of both patron and department needs, allowing for a wide variety of improvements and changes in staffing practices, all driven by data rather than anecdotal evidence.
Conclusion – Although the data generated for this study is institutionally specific, the methodology is applicable to special collections departments at other institutions. A systemic, holistic approach to assessment in special collections departments enables the implementation of operational efficiencies. It also provides data that allows the department to document its value to university-wide stakeholders. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T22:29:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2a976581cde64f51937b7197134051ad |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1715-720X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T22:29:44Z |
| publishDate | 2013-06-01 |
| publisher | University of Alberta |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Evidence Based Library and Information Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-2a976581cde64f51937b7197134051ad2022-12-21T20:03:23ZengUniversity of AlbertaEvidence Based Library and Information Practice1715-720X2013-06-018210.18438/B8D03MData-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections RepositoriesMelanie Griffin0Barbara Lewis1Mark I. Greenberg2University of South Florida Tampa, Florida, United States of AmericaUniversity of South Florida Tampa, Florida, United States of AmericaWestern Washington University Bellingham, Washington, United States of AmericaObjective – In an environment of shrinking budgets and reduced staffing, this study seeks to identify a comprehensive, integrated assessment strategy to better focus diminished resources within special collections repositories. Methods – This article presents the results of a single case study conducted in the Special and Digital Collections department at a university library. The department created an holistic assessment model, taking into account both public and technical services, to explore inter-related questions affecting both day-to-day operations as well as long-term, strategic priorities. Results – Data from a variety of assessment activities positively impacted the department’s practices, informing decisions made about staff skill sets, training, and scheduling; outreach activities; and prioritizing technical services. The results provide a comprehensive view of both patron and department needs, allowing for a wide variety of improvements and changes in staffing practices, all driven by data rather than anecdotal evidence. Conclusion – Although the data generated for this study is institutionally specific, the methodology is applicable to special collections departments at other institutions. A systemic, holistic approach to assessment in special collections departments enables the implementation of operational efficiencies. It also provides data that allows the department to document its value to university-wide stakeholders.https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/eblip/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/19138assessmentspecial collections |
| spellingShingle | Melanie Griffin Barbara Lewis Mark I. Greenberg Data-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections Repositories Evidence Based Library and Information Practice assessment special collections |
| title | Data-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections Repositories |
| title_full | Data-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections Repositories |
| title_fullStr | Data-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections Repositories |
| title_full_unstemmed | Data-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections Repositories |
| title_short | Data-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections Repositories |
| title_sort | data driven decision making an holistic approach to assessment in special collections repositories |
| topic | assessment special collections |
| url | https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/eblip/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/19138 |
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