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Selection & Evaluation of Information Sources and Services

Selection & Evaluation of Information Sources and Services. Dr. Dania Bilal 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?.

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Selection & Evaluation of Information Sources and Services

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  1. Selection & Evaluation of Information Sources and Services Dr. Dania Bilal IS 530 Fall 2007

  2. 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

  3. Why Evaluate Services? • Manage human and physical resources more effectively and efficiently • Justify the need for maintaining services and need for additional programs

  4. Levels of Evaluation • Lancaster’s scheme: • Inputs • Outputs • Outcomes

  5. Levels of Evaluation: Inputs • Materials available to provide a service • Reference collection • Print and electronic • External materials (virtual)

  6. Levels of Evaluation: Outputs • Measurement of quality of providing a service: • Answering reference questions • accuracy • completeness • Assistance given in using sources

  7. 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?

  8. Evaluation Guidelines • RUSA guidelines for reference services • http://www.ala.org/rusaTemplate.cfm?Section=referenceguide&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=26884

  9. 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

  10. 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.)

  11. 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.

  12. Evaluation of Print Sources • Criteria: • Purpose • Authority • Currency • Physical condition • Format • Curriculum needs • Target audience • Objectiveness of content • Online availability • Cost

  13. 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)

  14. 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?

  15. 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

  16. Evaluation of Reference Transactions • Types: • Obtrusive • Issues & challenges • Unobtrusive • Issues & challenges • Reference statistics

  17. Evaluation of User Satisfaction • Assess satisfaction of all types of users, including specific populations • Techniques • interviews • telephone • Web

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