Standardized survey tools for assessment in archives and special collections

Abstract

Purpose

User‐based evaluation in archives and special collections is in its infancy, and this paper aims to discuss the conceptualization, development, and testing of Archival Metrics Toolkits. The development and adoption of standardized metrics to support the management of both analog and digital collections is a critical need in archives and manuscript collections.

Design/methodology/approach

The Archival Metrics Toolkits were created, and comprised five user‐based evaluation instruments for archives and special collections in colleges and universities: researcher, archival web sites, online finding aids, student researchers, and teaching support.

Findings

The Archival Metrics Toolkits, as developed, represent a first step toward standardized evaluation created specifically for archives. Now it is up to the community to adopt these tools and report their use.

Originality/value

These are the first standardized questionnaires to target archives and special collections and take into consideration the unique environment of primary sources and the specific dynamics involved in connecting researchers with archival and manuscript collections.

Citation

Yakel, E. and Tibbo, H. (2010), "Standardized survey tools for assessment in archives and special collections", Performance Measurement and Metrics, Vol. 11 No. 2, pp. 211-222. https://doi.org/10.1108/14678041011064115