Washington State Library Needs Assessment Topline Findings

Discussion items Review our findings from the needs assessment; Hear more about some of the barriers CTCs are facing, particularly How the move towards 4-year programs is changing things in your libraries; Status of ABE and ELL programs Opportunities for collaboration across library types; and Kick off discussion about LSTA programs specifically aimed at our evaluation work

Needs assessment

Library management and engagement Library managers and staff were highly interested in Forming partnerships Communications and collaboration Evaluation and metrics Staffing Professional development

Trends in library practice Libraries in the US are turning focus to Library systems and security practices Privacy and safety instruction Accessible websites Electronic resources Data Technology and library spaces

Patron trends and expectations Patrons are expecting libraries to help with/enable use Mobile devices Print and electronic resources Emerging technology Lifelong learning opportunities

State priority issues Washington State’s explicit priorities: World-class education Prosperous economy Sustainable energy and clean environment Healthy and safe communities Efficient, effective, and accountable government

WSL funding One of 19 states with less than $10m funding (2012) #34 in total funding New funding structure: surcharge growth through 2020, then slow decline Busiest state library outlets in US (WTTBL, institutional libraries, state library)

Areas of potential action for WSL Raise the visibility of libraries across the state Develop partnerships, facilitate partnerships for libraries Facilitate collaboration and resource sharing among libraries Develop and support meaningful evaluation practices, develop common indicators for libraries Continue seeking new sources for funding

Community and Technical Colleges

What we heard about CTC libraries Issues arising from conversion to 4-year programs Unintended consequences to database subscriptions New responsibilities to the library (IT, online learning) Budget cuts amid need for more resources Balancing print and electronic resources Open educational resources Resourcing Copyrights Difficulty evaluating services, especially databases Difficulty accessing faculty and evaluating support to them Disruption to ILL relationships (journals esp.) Changes to where the libraries sit within college

Discussing Opportunities Partnerships with other types of libraries Public University K-12 Special ABE, digital literacy, information literacy and corrections education OER sharing Consortia purchasing

LSTA 5-year evaluation Statewide LSTA projects and initiatives Ask – WA* Digital Literacy in WA Microsoft Imagine Academy* Audiobooks, e-books* Early Learning Support Statewide Database Licensing* Wayfinder: Statewide Catalog K-20 Network Library as Instructional Leader* Living Well in Washington Preservation* Teacher-Librarian Common Core Cadre Washington Rural Heritage

Evaluation questions How have these programs helped your library? How did the programs benefit underserved populations? What are the features of the programs that were critical for creating outcomes? What are the lessons learned? How can the programs be improved?

Next steps Now-end of year: LSTA evaluation qualitative data What are the outcomes on the ground of the programs you have participated in? What is the potential? What did you learn? Jan-March LSTA evaluation Data analysis Surveys Draft review Jan-May LSTA 5-year plan Priorities, goals, focus, balance