Evaluating Academic Library Collections A Plan for Hillsborough Community College Jeneice Sorrentino EXCEL Leadership Program Hillsborough Community College Spring 2003

Why Evaluate Library Collections? –Are users' needs met? –Is curriculum supported? –What are the condition, age and use of collection? –What are the strengths and weaknesses? To enable librarians to be responsive and accountable

What is Collection Assessment? Organized, continuing process Uses variety of methods Identifies areas needing improvement Helps determine how well resources are being used

Why an Assessment Plan Is Needed Now SACS recommendation – "implement campus evaluative measures to determine the adequacy of access to resources" Consultant studied HCC's four campus libraries Statewide assessments of community college libraries Librarians use a variety of evaluative techniques Need a systematic process with documentation

What will the Plan Accomplish? Establish criteria –SACS Principles of Accreditation –Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) guidelines Provide guidelines for the librarians Formalize the collection assessment process –Provide documentation

Involving the College Community Identify the users Surveys and focus groups Faculty –Discipline expertise –Joint review of resources

Assessment Timeline Align with HCC program reviews –Five-year cycle

What Will Results Look Like? Quantitative data –Statistics –Formal reports and studies –Data are quantifiable and numerical Qualitative data –Group and individual interviews –Observations and anecdotal information –Data interpreted subjectively

Collection Assessment Techniques Collection-based Use-based - Combination Preferred -

Collection-Based Examples Direct examination Joint review by librarian and academic program manager Analyze collection reports Check holdings against subject reading lists Examine content of periodical databases Utilize “Best Resources” lists by subject

Use-Based Examples Review usage reports Conduct in-house samplings Analyze interlibrary loan data Review database usage reports Extract information from user surveys

The Process in a Nutshell Select subject areas to assess Involve academic program manager/faculty Select best evaluative methods to use Train and Involve staff as needed Collect and analyze data Formulate recommendations

Reporting the Findings and Recommendations Prepare reports Disseminate reports Incorporate recommendations into collection development process –Objectives, budget, timeline, responsible parties –Five-year plan Review actions during next program review

Outcomes "Outcomes are the ways in which library users are changed as a result of their contact with the library's resources and programs." College Center for Library Automation A desired outcome of this plan is to foster continual assessment and quality enhancement for HCC libraries.

Acknowledgments Project Mentors Karen Griffin, Director of Associate in Arts Programs Hillsborough Community College Dr. Emery Alford, Dean of Academic Affairs, Ybor City Campus, Hillsborough Community College Dr. Derrie Perez, Interim Dean, University of South Florida Library System Assistant Professor, School of Library and Information Science

Acknowledgments Peer mentors Members of the Library Cluster Patricia Manack, Learning Resources Coordinator Focus group Alicia Ellison, Librarian, Ybor City Campus Wendy Foley, Librarian, Brandon Campus Victor Harke, Librarian, Dale Mabry Campus Tammy Schofield, Librarian, Plant City Campus