The following full text article is published in the just released issue (March 2015) of College and Research Libraries.
Title
Bridges and Barriers: Factors Influencing a Culture of Assessment in Academic Libraries
Authors
Meredith Gorran Farkas
Portland Community College
Lisa Janicke Hinchliffe
University of Illinois
Amy Harris Houk
University of North Carolina
Source
College and Research Libraries
Vol. 76, No. 2
March 2015
Abstract
In an environment in which libraries need to demonstrate value, illustrating how the library contributes to student learning is critical. Gathering and analyzing data to tell the library’s story as well as identify areas for improvement require commitment, time, effort, and resources—all components of a culture of assessment.
This paper presents the results of a survey designed to understand what factors facilitate the development of a culture of assessment of student learning in academic libraries and what factors may hinder it. Unlike previous research in this area, which has focused on case studies and surveys with nonrepresentative samples, the authors conducted a systematic survey of academic libraries at four-year institutions in the United States and achieved a 42 percent response rate. The results suggest certain factors are highly associated with a culture of assessment and provide guidance to administrators and front-line librarians working to build such a culture.
Direct to Full Text Article (20 pages; PDF)
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