Selection & Evaluation of Information Sources and ServicesWhy Evaluate Services?Slide 3Levels of EvaluationLevels of Evaluation: InputsLevels of Evaluation: OutputsLevels of Evaluation: OutcomesEvaluation GuidelinesSelection of Reference SourcesSlide 10Slide 11Evaluation of Print SourcesEvaluation of Electronic DatabasesSlide 14Evaluation of IntermediariesEvaluation of Reference TransactionsEvaluation of User SatisfactionSelection & Selection & Evaluation of Evaluation of Information Information Sources and Sources and ServicesServicesDr. Dania BilalDr. Dania BilalIS 530IS 530Fall 2007Fall 2007Why Evaluate Services?Why Evaluate Services?Assess and improve the quality of Assess and improve the quality of existing servicesexisting servicesIdentify the need for new types of Identify the need for new types of services or programsservices or programsJustify funding and supportJustify funding and supportWhy Evaluate Services?Why Evaluate Services?Manage human and physical Manage human and physical resources more effectively and resources more effectively and efficientlyefficientlyJustify the need for maintaining Justify the need for maintaining services and need for additional services and need for additional programsprogramsLevels of EvaluationLevels of EvaluationLancaster’s scheme:Lancaster’s scheme:InputsInputsOutputsOutputsOutcomesOutcomesLevels of Evaluation: Levels of Evaluation: InputsInputsMaterials available to provide a Materials available to provide a serviceserviceReference collectionReference collectionPrint and electronicPrint and electronicExternal materials (virtual)External materials (virtual)Levels of Evaluation: Levels of Evaluation: OutputsOutputsMeasurement of quality of providing Measurement of quality of providing a service:a service:Answering reference questionsAnswering reference questionsaccuracyaccuracycompletenesscompletenessAssistance given in using sourcesAssistance given in using sourcesLevels of Evaluation: Levels of Evaluation: OutcomesOutcomesMeeting user information needsMeeting user information needsLevel of satisfactionLevel of satisfactionLevel of knowledge gained or improvedLevel of knowledge gained or improvedDiscussion QuestionDiscussion Question: How should : How should professionals assess user professionals assess user satisfaction?satisfaction?Evaluation GuidelinesEvaluation GuidelinesRUSA guidelines for reference RUSA guidelines for reference servicesserviceshttp://http://www.ala.org/rusaTemplate.cfm?Sectionwww.ala.org/rusaTemplate.cfm?Section==referenceguide&Templatereferenceguide&Template=/=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentIDfm&ContentID=26884=26884Selection of Reference Selection of Reference SourcesSourcesRUSA Reference CommitteeRUSA Reference CommitteeOutstanding Reference Sources Annually in May issue of Annually in May issue of American LibrariesAmerican LibrariesPrint sourcesPrint sourcesSmall- and medium-sized academic and Small- and medium-sized academic and public librariespublic librariesOnline via RUSA websiteOnline via RUSA websiteSelection of Reference Selection of Reference SourcesSourcesARBA (American Reference Books ARBA (American Reference Books Annual)Annual)GuidesGuidesGuide to Reference Books Guide to Reference Books Walford’s Guide to Reference MaterialsWalford’s Guide to Reference MaterialsRecommended Reference Books for Small Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium-Sized Libraries and Media and Medium-Sized Libraries and Media CentersCentersGuide to Reference Materials for School Guide to Reference Materials for School Library Media Centers Library Media Centers (Safford, Barbara R.) (Safford, Barbara R.)Selection of Reference Selection of Reference SourcesSourcesBooklist Booklist ((Reference Book BulletinReference Book Bulletin))Library Journal Library Journal (print, websites, and databases)(print, websites, and databases)School Library JournalSchool Library JournalReference & User Services QuarterlyReference & User Services QuarterlyBooks in Print With Book ReviewsBooks in Print With Book ReviewsChoice Choice (reviews electronic databases in each (reviews electronic databases in each issueissueMany other sources are listed in your text (Vol. I, Many other sources are listed in your text (Vol. I, chap. 3). These Sources serve as selection and chap. 3). These Sources serve as selection and evaluation tools.evaluation tools.Evaluation of Print Evaluation of Print SourcesSourcesCriteria:Criteria:PurposePurposeAuthorityAuthorityCurrencyCurrencyPhysical conditionPhysical conditionFormatFormatCurriculum needsCurriculum needsTarget audienceTarget audienceObjectiveness of contentObjectiveness of contentOnline availabilityOnline availabilityCostCostEvaluation of Electronic Evaluation of Electronic DatabasesDatabasesPurposePurposeDesignDesignUser InterfaceUser InterfaceSearch and Retrieval featuresSearch and Retrieval featuresRecord structureRecord structureNavigation Navigation Visual elements (icons, metaphors, colors, etc.)Visual elements (icons, metaphors, colors, etc.)Ease of useEase of useLinks to external resources (e.g., SFX) Links to external resources (e.g., SFX)Evaluation of Electronic Evaluation of Electronic DatabasesDatabasesAuthorityAuthorityCoverage (time period)Coverage (time period)Scope (type of publications Scope (type of publications covered/indexed)covered/indexed)Full-text availability of articlesFull-text availability of articlesTarget audienceTarget audienceCurriculum needsCurriculum needsCostCostOther criteria?Other criteria?Evaluation of Evaluation of IntermediariesIntermediariesApproachabilityApproachabilityKnowledge of reference collectionKnowledge of reference collectionKnowledge of local services and referralKnowledge of local services and referralSkills in identifying user needs Skills in identifying user needs (mediation)(mediation)(we will cover the evaluation of the (we will cover the evaluation of the reference process and mediators later in reference process and mediators later in the course) the course) Communication with usersCommunication with usersEvaluation of Reference Evaluation of Reference TransactionsTransactionsTypes:Types:ObtrusiveObtrusiveIssues & challengesIssues &
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