universityofsouthcarolinauniversitylibraries.docVIP

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES EVALUATION AND SUGGESTIONS FOR EFFECTIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ASSESSMENT A Report by Steve Hiller and Jim Self Visiting Program Officers, Association of Research Libraries January 2008 INTRODUCTION The University Libraries at the University of South Carolina participated in the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) service, “Effective, Sustainable, and Practical Library Assessment.” (/stats/initiatives/esp/) This ongoing activity is under the aegis of the ARL Statistics and Measurement Program, Martha Kyrillidou, Director. ARL Visiting Program Officers Steve Hiller and Jim Self conducted the evaluation of the University Libraries assessment efforts which was capped with a visit on December 3-4, 2007. In addition to a presentation on effective library assessment, they met with library staff and discussed a wide range of assessment and measurement related issues. The University Libraries also responded to a request for information about assessment activities, needs, and issues before the visit. The following report summarizes the current environment and offers options and suggestions for developing effective and sustainable assessment at the University of South Carolina University Libraries. CURRENT ASSESSMENT ENVIRONMENT AND ACTIVITIES The University Libraries are responsible for providing library collections and services for the flagship University of the state. While the University has well-established programs in the humanities, social sciences and professional schools, major investments have been made recently in enhancing science research. The University ranks in the top 100 American research universities (TheCenter 2006) and the University Libraries is in the top sixty ARL libraries as measured by the ARL Index. During the past five years, the University Libraries have conducted the LibQUAL+? survey on an annual basis, and this has comprised the main assessment activity. However, recent yea