Selection Evaluation of Information Sources and Dr Dania Bilal Services IS 530 IS 530 Fall 2007 Why Evaluate Services Assess and improve the quality of existing services Identify the need for new types of services or programs Justify funding and support Why Evaluate Services Manage human and physical resources more effectively and efficiently Justify the need for maintaining services and need for additional programs Levels of Evaluation Lancaster s scheme Inputs Outputs Outcomes Levels of Evaluation Inputs Materials available to provide a service Reference collection Print and electronic External materials virtual Levels of Evaluation Outputs Measurement of quality of providing a service Answering reference questions accuracy completeness Assistance given in using sources Levels of Evaluation Outcomes Meeting user information needs Level of satisfaction Level of knowledge gained or improved Discussion Question How should professionals assess user satisfaction Evaluation Guidelines RUSA guidelines for reference services http www ala org rusaTemplate cfm Section referenceguide Template ContentManagement ContentDisplay c fm ContentID 26884 Selection of Reference Sources RUSA Reference Committee Outstanding Reference Sources Annually in May issue of American Libraries Print sources Small and medium sized academic and public libraries Online via RUSA website Selection of Reference Sources ARBA American Reference Books Annual Guides Guide to Reference Books Walford s Guide to Reference Materials Recommended Reference Books for Small and Medium Sized Libraries and Media Centers Guide to Reference Materials for School Library Media Centers Safford Barbara R Selection of Reference Sources Booklist Reference Book Bulletin Library Journal print websites and databases School Library Journal Reference User Services Quarterly Books in Print With Book Reviews Choice reviews electronic databases in each issue Many other sources are listed in your text Vol I chap 3 These Sources serve as selection and evaluation tools Evaluation of Print Sources Criteria Purpose Authority Currency Physical condition Format Curriculum needs Target audience Objectiveness of content Online availability Cost Evaluation of Electronic Databases Purpose Design User Interface Search and Retrieval features Record structure Navigation Visual elements icons metaphors colors etc Ease of use Links to external resources e g SFX Evaluation of Electronic Databases Authority Coverage time period Scope type of publications covered indexed Full text availability of articles Target audience Curriculum needs Cost Other criteria Evaluation of Intermediaries Approachability Knowledge of reference collection Knowledge of local services and referral Skills in identifying user needs mediation we will cover the evaluation of the reference process and mediators later in the course Communication with users Evaluation of Reference Transactions Types Obtrusive Unobtrusive Issues challenges Issues challenges Reference statistics Evaluation of User Satisfaction Assess satisfaction of all types of users including specific populations Techniques interviews telephone Web