What is your library worth? Changes in evaluation methods for academic law libraries

Abstract

Outcomes evaluation is the process of measuring the changes in a patron's behavior, skills, knowledge, perceptions, or attitudes that resulted from the patron's exposure to a library's services and programs, comparing those outcomes to the library's goals and mission, and using that analysis to implement improvements in library services and programs. This article describes the evaluation methods historically used by academic librarians and academic law librarians and then discusses the impetus behind the recent shift to outcomes evaluation methods in academic library settings. The author suggests that academic law librarians should be prepared to implement similar methods in their libraries in the future and that they take an active role in developing evaluation policies and procedures before others do so. The article then provides a framework for implementing an outcomes evaluation plan in an academic law library. © 2005 Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.