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Data: The Key Ingredient in a Successful Project. ILEAD USA, March 28, 2013. Use data to…. Assess community needs Manage and continuously improve your project Evaluate your project ’ s impact Market and advocate. Colorado ’ s BTOP Project. 88 Public Computer Centers. Needs Assessment.
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Data: The Key Ingredient in a Successful Project ILEAD USA, March 28, 2013
Use data to… • Assess community needs • Manage and continuously improve your project • Evaluate your project’s impact • Market and advocate
Needs Assessment Needs assessment “is a systematic process of collecting, organizing, and analyzing data about the library and its environment. It is designed to assist the administrator in choosing from alternative patterns of satisfying [patrons’] information needs and interests.” -Grover, Greer, & Agada (2010)
Needs Assessment • Problem statement • How do you know there’s a problem? • What data and other information do you have to support your premise? “If you can quantify the issue, it will strengthen your proposal.” -Jane Martel
Why do it? • To better meet patrons’ needs and interests • To meet reporting requirements
How do we do it? • Original Research -Surveys -Qualitative Techniques (interviews, etc.) • Available Data
BTOP Needs Assessment • Income • Education level • English language status
Data Collection Timeline Collect early and collect often!
What data should be collected? • Inputs • Outputs • Outcomes • SMART objectives: what is measurable?
Inputs Quantify the effort expended on a project—resources and time
Examples of Input Measures • Funds/in-kind funds expended • Number of project staff • Staff time • Library hours
BTOP Input Measures • Grant/matching funds • Computer center hours • Staff hours
Outputs Quantifying the levels of services and materials provided
Examples of Output Measures • Circulation • Visits • Number of Programs • Attendees at library programs • Website visits
BTOP Output Measures • Number of classes offered • Hours of class time • Number of class attendees • Number of one-on-one trainings • Number of open access computer users • Hours of open access usage
Outcome Measures Documenting the effect a service has on the participants
Examples of Outcome Measures • Created a resume • Improved reading skills • Traced family history • Got a job interview
Examples of BTOP Outcome Measures—Computer Classes After taking today’s class, I am better able to… • use a computer. • use the Internet. • create or edit a website. • view and/or share digital photos. • use software (ex: Word, Google Docs, Photoshop, Excel, Quickbooks)
Examples of BTOP Outcome Measures—Open Access Users While I was on a computer in the computer center today, I • looked for employment. • used software (ex: Google Docs, Excel, Word, Photoshop). • communicated with someone (ex: email, chat, Facebook). • did schoolwork.
Data Use for Project Management • Who is the customer and what does she need/want? • User profiles—implications for staffing and programming • One-on-one trainings • Class attendee demographics
Thank You! Linda Hofschire, Hofschire_L@cde.state.co.us Dave Hodgins, Hodgins_D@cde.state.co.us www.lrs.org @lrs_co
Needs Assessment Resources • Examples of library needs assessment studies: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/06132012/community-reference-making-libraries-indispensable-new-way • http://www.rplf.org/download/Richmond_Needs_Doc_090216_sm.pdf • Conducting surveys • http://www.lrs.org/resources/research-methods/#Surveys • Survey alternatives (interviews, card sorts, diaries, etc.) • http://www.lrs.org/beyond-the-survey-innovative-techniques-for-learning-about-your-patrons-calcon-2011/
Needs Assessment Resources • LRS.org Needs Assessment Resources http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/public-libraries/resources-for-community-analysis/ • Census http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html • American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/ • State Demographer http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DOLA-Main/CBON/1251590805419 • Internal Statistics: • Public Libraries http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/public-libraries/ • School Libraries http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/school-libraries/ • Academic Libraries http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/academic-libraries/
Additional Resources • Grover, R.J., Greer, R.C., & Agada, J. (2010). Assessing information needs: Managing transformative library services. Denver, CO: Libraries Unlimited. • Orcutt, D. (Ed.) (2010). Library data: Empowering practice and persuasion. Denver, CO: Libraries Unlimited.