THE INFORMATION AUDIT： KNOW THYSELF.pdfVIP

III. THE INFORMATION AUDIT: KNOW THYSELF The challenge: Get the tools needed to manage change. l Are you providing the right products and services, given your current resources? l Is each product and service provided to the best of your ability? III.1 Ill. THE INFORMATION AUDIT: KNOW THYSELF Answering the basic questions The information needs assessment process helped you to understand the information requirements of your organization and analyze your competi- tors. The information audit requires an objective analysis of the library and what is has to offer. What does it do better than its competitors? It is an as- sessment of your own strengths and weaknesses, the capabilities of each staff member, and your resources; that is, your collection, computer hardware and software, access to databases and association member- ships. Keep in mind the needs of your organization and think in terms of how well your capabilities match its needs. Goals and objectives The information audit begins with a review of the library’s objectives. Be certain that the library’s goals do not conflict with those of the organization as a whole; observe how they relate to the objectives of each department within the