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Susie McClure Library
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SMC Library Assessment Plan

Policies outlining the library's commitment to providing resources, instruction, and support to enhance the information literacy skills of our users.

Outreach and Engagement

Library outreach and engagement can be an essential component of a college's overall mission to support student success, promote academic excellence, and foster a sense of community. Here are some goals and objectives for a college library's outreach and engagement efforts:

Goal: Increase awareness and usage of library resources and services among college students.

Objectives:

  1. Develop targeted marketing campaigns to promote library resources and services to students, both on and off-campus.
  2. Collaborate with faculty and staff to integrate library resources and services into academic coursework.
  3. Offer library orientation sessions and workshops to new and returning students to familiarize them with the library's resources and services.
  4. Create a user-friendly library website that provides easy access to resources and services.

Goal: Enhance student academic success by providing personalized research and information literacy support.

Objectives:

  1. Provide one-on-one research consultations with students to help them develop effective research strategies.
  2. Develop and offer workshops and instructional materials on information literacy skills, such as finding and evaluating sources and avoiding plagiarism.
  3. Collaborate with academic departments to provide subject-specific research support.
  4. Utilize technology tools and platforms to provide remote research support to online and off-campus students.

Goal: Foster a sense of community among students by providing engaging library programs and events.

Objectives:

  1. Offer a variety of programs and events, such as book clubs, author talks, and film screenings, that appeal to a diverse range of student interests.
  2. Collaborate with student organizations and campus partners to co-sponsor programs and events that align with college priorities and initiatives.
  3. Create a welcoming and inclusive library environment that reflects the diversity of the student population.
  4. Utilize social media and other communication channels to promote library events and encourage student participation.

Overall, a successful library outreach and engagement program should be aligned with the college's strategic priorities and be responsive to the evolving needs of its student population. Regular evaluation and assessment of outreach and engagement efforts can help ensure that they are effective and impactful.

Assessment Plan

Assessing the effectiveness of a library outreach and engagement program is critical to ensure that the program is meeting its goals and objectives and providing value to the college community. Here is an assessment plan for a college library's outreach and engagement program:

  1. Determine Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Identify the KPIs that will be used to assess the success of the outreach and engagement program. These may include measures such as the number of attendees at library events, the number of research consultations provided, and the usage of library resources.

  2. Collect Data: Collect data on the identified KPIs, using a variety of methods such as surveys, website analytics, and event attendance records. It is also essential to collect qualitative data, such as feedback from attendees and anecdotal evidence of the impact of the outreach and engagement program.

  3. Analyze Data: Analyze the data collected to identify trends and patterns that indicate the effectiveness of the outreach and engagement program. Compare the data to previous years, benchmarks, and industry standards to assess the program's relative success.

  4. Identify Opportunities for Improvement: Based on the data analysis, identify opportunities for improvement in the outreach and engagement program. This may include developing new programs or refining existing programs to better meet the college community's needs.

  5. Implement Changes: Implement the changes identified in the previous step and continue to monitor and collect data to assess their effectiveness.

  6. Communicate Results: Communicate the assessment results to stakeholders, including library staff, college administration, and the broader college community. This can help to build support for the outreach and engagement program and ensure that it continues to receive the necessary resources and funding.

  7. Repeat the Assessment Cycle: Repeat the assessment cycle regularly to ensure that the outreach and engagement program continues to be effective and responsive to the needs of the college community.

By following this assessment plan, our library ensures that its outreach and engagement programs are meeting its goals and objectives and providing value to the college community.

When assessing a library outreach program at a college, it is essential to identify the key performance indicators (KPIs) that will be used to measure its success. Here are some KPIs that the Susie McClure Library utilizes:

  1. Event Attendance: The number of students, faculty, and staff who attend library events and programs, such as book clubs, author talks, and film screenings.

  2. Resource Usage: The usage of library resources, such as databases, eBooks, and print materials, by students, faculty, and staff.

  3. Research Consultations: The number of one-on-one research consultations library staff provides to students, faculty, and staff.

  4. Instructional Sessions: The number of instructional sessions library staff provides on information literacy skills and research strategies.

  5. Outreach Collaborations: The number of collaborations between the library and campus partners, such as student organizations, academic departments, and community organizations.

  6. Outreach: The reach of the library's outreach efforts, such as the number of followers on social media and the number of website visits.

  7. Feedback and Satisfaction: The feedback and satisfaction of the college community with the library's outreach programs, as measured through surveys and other feedback mechanisms.

By measuring these KPIs, a college library can assess the effectiveness of its outreach programs and identify areas for improvement. These KPIs can also be used to track progress over time and demonstrate the impact of the library's outreach efforts to stakeholders.