Conduct an information needs assessment; design and evaluate customized information services and products
If I as a librarian intend to provide the highest quality services, materials, and other resources to my patrons, I must strive to understand the community my library serves to the best of my ability. There are many ways to collect this information. I can study demographic information, I can distribute surveys, I can conduct interviews. Surprisingly, while many older, established librarians I have spoken with agree that customized information services for their patrons is best, they have not considered studying their community before proceeding with programs, services, and other products.
Programs and services in place do usually serve a patron base - otherwise they would not be in place. In order to continually provide excellent library service that reflects well on the profession, these products and services often only need minor changes. Simple evaluations based on use of service, or more complex evaluations based on in-depth observation and patron interview can be used to evaluate a service. In the case of new services, the community can be carefully defined by demographic data, use characteristics, and even opinion surveys.
Two of my classes offered opportunities to analyze an information agency and its patrons, and design and suggest programs, services, and products to fit community needs.
Artifacts demonstrating this outcome
LI 811 Assessing Information Needs and Evaluating Information Services
I took the opportunity to work with my fellow graduate assistant at the Newman Division of Nursing Library, and study our own library and its services
NDN Library Community Analysis
I also was able to provide my evaluation of the library, and suggest direction for improvement
NDN Library Evaluation
LI855 Collection Development
We were allowed to create a library for which we were to create a budget, collection policy, and suggested materials for a specific part of the collection. Mine centered on
Theatre Arts Resources for a Small College