Developing and Implementing Meaningful Outcomes Measurements

Queens Library & Brooklyn Public Library

Written by tstanton on Wed, 03/02/2016 – 14:51

Even as more and more residents are flocking to public libraries for educational, informational, and cultural programs and services, the libraries themselves are still grappling with how to document their impact. Many of the libraries’ most popular—and, anecdotally, most effective—programs are informal. They include early learning programs like reading time with toddlers, after school enrichment activities, programs for the homebound and cultural celebrations and performances. For cases like these, the Public Library Association has developed field tested surveys, but, though important, these are limited and preliminary, and do not yield data required by many funders. A Metro Fellow could help us to develop and implement creative new approaches to measuring outcomes at the individual participant level, the program level, and the community level. With better metrics, we’ll be in better position to prove our value to funders.