Hello All!
Did you see this article from the Programming Librarian?
Getting Started with Program Evaluation
https://programminglibrarian.org/articles/getting-started-program-evaluation
The article explains several important concepts for:
- summative evaluation (a results-focused retrospective) versus formative or developmental evaluation (looking at what you're doing while you're doing it to learn, adapt, and improve);
- defining the evaluation process as using information to reflect on how well we are achieving meaningful goals, why that is happening, and what to do next;
- utilizing meaningful goals as a team effort if you want to know if you're measuring what's really important; and
- how outcome-based planning and evaluation (OBPE), commonly known as "backwards planning" or "starting with the end in mind," helps find the effective evaluation method unique to your project or organization.
As a supplement to the great information in this article, here are a few of PLA's outcome measurement resources that can help you understand the process, build support, find your team, set goals, and get on the road to effective program evaluation.
Outcome Measurement Process
Identify needs, measure outcomes, review results, and take action.
Building Internal Support
Getting staff and library leaders on board with outcome measurement.
Data Collection Team
Identify the team of people at your library who will support data collection for this project.
Setting Goals for Outcome Measurement
How to help you and your colleagues work together to set goals for measuring outcomes.
Data Collection Roadmap
On the road to real results!
Feel free to reply to this thread to inquire of your colleagues about what part of the evaluation process has worked best for them or how they have overcome any obstacles to success.
All the best,
Katina
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Katina Jones
PLA Program Manager, Evaluation & Assessment
American Library Association
She/Her/Hers
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