ACRL Launches Project Outcome for Academic Libraries

April 10, 2019

 

ACRL is pleased to announce the launch of Project Outcome for Academic Libraries. Based on a model developed by the Public Library Association (PLA), this free toolkit is designed to help academic libraries understand and share the impact of essential library programs and services by providing simple surveys and an easy-to-use process for measuring and analyzing outcomes. The standardized surveys allow libraries to aggregate their outcome data and analyze trends over time by service topic and program type. Training and resources are provided to participating libraries so they can use data-driven results to advocate for their library.

 

The surveys were developed by ACRL’s Project Outcome for Academic Libraries Task Force, whose members come from a range of academic library types, from community colleges to research institutions.

 

“This background allowed the task force to reshape the PLA Project Outcome measures into a survey toolkit that will work for any sized academic library, public or private,” says task force chair Eric Ackermann of Radford University. Project Outcome for Academic Libraries, Ackermann continued, “fills a gap in the academic library assessment arsenal by providing a much-needed toolkit to libraries without staff experienced in survey design or assessment, nor the funding to acquire it, yet are required (or desire) to assess and improve their programs. It also can complement the work of libraries that already have assessment processes in place.”

 

“ACRL is delighted to provide this important tool to academic librarians so that they may make informed, data-driven decisions to develop the programs and services needed by their communities,” ACRL Executive Director Mary Ellen K. Davis added. “Project Outcome builds on ACRL’s Value of Academic Libraries initiative and provides a tool for comparing outcomes nationwide. We appreciate the opportunity to expand PLA’s Project Outcome to serve academic libraries and look forward to our continued collaborations with them.”

 

Project Outcome for Academic Libraries is free for academic and research librarians, as well as library school students, in the United States and internationally. Visit http://acrl.projectoutcome.org to register.

 

Learn More

 

If you are at the ACRL 2019 Conference in Cleveland, join ACRL staff and members of the Project Outcome for Academic Libraries Task Force for a one-hour workshop on Friday, April 12. Five workshops will be offered throughout the day, starting at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. No advance registration is necessary.

 

Not attending the conference? We will offer free a introductory webinar, “Outcome Measurement Made Easy: Project Outcome for Academic Libraries,” on Tuesday, April 16 (register here) and again on Tuesday, April 30 (register here). Join us to learn about how your library can effectively use Project Outcome and ask any questions you may have.

 

Download the flyer and visit the Project Outcome for Academic Libraries website to sign up!

 

Questions? Email acrl@projectoutcome.org