Library assessment plans: four case studies

Abstract

Purpose

The libraries at the University of Chicago, Columbia University, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and Cornell University have created or re‐defined their assessment plans and programs within the last two years. This paper aims to show the similarities and differences between the approaches of these four institutions.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study approach is taken.

Findings

These case studies underscore how vital assessment has become and illustrate how these assessment programs have evolved to reflect local needs and priorities, their libraries' organizational structure, their institutions' planning cycle, and, the reality of limited resources.

Originality/value

Recognizing that understanding local needs is the key to successful assessment at any institution, it is hoped that these case studies will be useful to libraries that are at various stages of building an assessment program.

Citation

Tatarka, A., Chapa, K., Li, X. and Rutner, J. (2010), "Library assessment plans: four case studies", Performance Measurement and Metrics, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 199-210. https://doi.org/10.1108/14678041011064106