Library value and impact: Taking the step from knowing it to showing it

Abstract

The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use (NDC) is a unique Irish information resource that embraces elements of several library types: national, public, special, academic, digital, and health. This paper presents the results of an evaluation study carried out by NDC staff in two parts, a value survey and impact interviews. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to examine aspects of the value and impact of the NDC’s resources and services. Many elements of our approach worked well and contributed to the achievement of our aims and objectives. We outline our approach and suggest some modifications that we might make if we were to repeat the study.