Search results

This paper has the aim of introducing the Special Issue on Impact Planning and Assessment (IPA) of the Global Libraries Initiative (GL) of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which aims to provuide public access to information through computers in public libraries.

This descriptive paper introduces the work of the Global Libraries Initiative and its IPA Specialists.

As more countries have joined Global Libraries, there has been a gradual increase in interest by IPA Specialists and their colleagues in employing a broader range of evidence‐collection methods in attempts to show more clearly whether and how greater access to information through public access computing leads to changes in users and their lives. There is still a great deal to be done before a likely move into the realm of systematic measurement of changes to people's lives and it is highly questionable whether IPA Specialists could ever achieve such a goal by enthusiasm, energy and collaboration alone. There is scope for more consistent application of qualitative research methods within and across countries, as well as for developing common impact measures based on user self‐assessment and reporting.

The paper introduces and discusses the Impact Planning and Assessment (IPA) of the Global Libraries Initiative (GL) of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and suggests how research to improve the GL Initiative can move forward.

The purpose of this paper is to report on recent performance measurement and impact evaluation progress made in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Moldova, Turkey and Vietnam as part of the last phase of the Global Libraries Initiative.

The country reports are presented as a series of case studies, in some cases supplementing those reported earlier in this journal.

Recent country-specific survey findings are reported and some conclusions are offered.

This paper demonstrates how the adoption of a common approach to library service evaluation across several countries can strengthen research practice at country level beyond the Global Libraries Initiative itself.

This paper shares Global Libraries IPA learning at country level with people in other countries who may be contemplating public library evaluation at regional, national or local levels or who are interested in performance measurement and impact evaluation.

The paper shows how focusing on the impact of public library services on users can enhance the understanding of community requirements and inform the development of more effective services to library users and communities.

These case studies reflect concentrated impact evaluation and performance measurement work at country level across a range of countries over more than 18 years.

This paper aims to draw together the evidence‐based advocacy experience of five national programs focused on developing public access information and communications technologies (ICT) via public libraries as grantees of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Libraries Initiative.

The authors describe a common approach to strategic advocacy and to impact planning and assessment. They then outline the experience of each program in using a range of evidence to help meet specific advocacy objectives. They give particular attention to how each program is using specific evidence to convince key players of the importance of public access ICT provided by public libraries in meeting the objectives of the key players.

This collective experience shows that when advocating at the national level, statistical data and empirical evidence can demonstrate that public libraries contribute to stakeholders' goals. Such data can include technology skills that users have gained as well as how users improve their businesses, become better educated, and access government services. Common denominators from the programs include a disproportionate positive impact achieved (or anticipated) in rural communities and on relatively disadvantaged groups such as older workers, old people and unemployed people.

Both the general approach to evidence‐based advocacy described and the specific messages about targeting advocacy efforts on key players and on the service users who are most likely to benefit from public access ICT are of potential value to anyone planning a national, regional or local advocacy program focused on public libraries and their services.

As the paper deals with global library advocacy issues, and impact planning, it is hoped it is a step towards more measurable social impact for libraries.

This is the first full public report of the Global Libraries approach to evidence‐based advocacy as conducted in the five countries represented in the paper. It is part of a steadily growing body of knowledge being amassed by Global Libraries about effective provision of public access ICT via public libraries in a range of countries.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the evolution of a common approach to impact assessment across the Global Libraries (GL) portfolio of grants. It presents an overview of two systems, the Performance Metrics (PMs) and the Common Impact Measurement System (CIMS). By providing a standard set of definitions and methods for use across countries, these systems enable grantees to collect data that can be compared and aggregated for the purpose of collective learning, improvement, accountability, and advocacy.

The PMs offer a standard methodology to collect library project performance management data, whereas the CIMS is a standard survey of public library users. The paper describes how the PM and CIMS data are being visualized and used, with examples of findings and lessons learned.

The paper cites examples of the type of PM and CIMS data available, with a focus on employment, gender, and case studies from Botswana and Indonesia. These highlights illustrate how libraries’ user demographics differ from other types of public internet access venues and how libraries can contribute to strong employment and growth.

The measurement systems rely on different partners collecting data for the same metrics across different countries; while each grantee adheres to a standard methodology, small procedural, and methodological differences are inevitable. Future research could focus on conducting similar studies elsewhere, outside the cohort of countries in the GL portfolio of grants.

The paper offers insights and lessons for library agencies or institutions interested in implementing a common measurement system. Recognizing that few library projects have the resources to track a comprehensive set of indicators, a case study is presented about how smaller initiatives can adapt these systems to their needs.

The indicators described in this paper enable public libraries to shift their focus from services provided to the outcomes they help individuals and communities realize, potentially increasing the potency of their programming and advocacy.

Common measurement systems are not new, but their application in the public library field is novel, as is the Data Atlas, a platform grantees use to compare results across metrics, track progress, and conduct advocacy.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the current status of the Global Libraries Initiative program in Poland.

This paper lists the preliminary results and conclusions from the early phases of the progam.

Among the conclusions so far gathered for developing actions are: developing support for libraries for three new types of services: assistance in job seeking (because while many users make use of computers in libraries for that purpose, but only a few libraries offer relevant special activities); healthy lifestyles (some libraries have already introduced such activities, but it is hoped to develop them in a more systematic way – this area is also consistent with the overall priorities of the Global Libraries Initiative) and e‐banking for senior citizens; and improving the advocacy and outreach capabilities of libraries through additional training, as this was diagnosed as one of the weaknesses after the first round of the programme.

A wide range of improvement examples are provided that can be easily transferred to other countries.

The purpose of this paper is to describe the evolving IFLA approach to impact evaluation through three of its international programmes: Freedom of Access to Information, Building Strong Library Associations (BSLA) and the International Advocacy Programme (IAP). This review positions these three programmes within the wider discourse of the international evaluation community.

Each of the three programmes is considered in turn to show what they were trying to achieve and how thinking about impact evaluation at IFLA is evolving.

This paper reports key evaluation findings for relevant phases of the BSLA and IAP programmes in general terms.

The views presented are those of the evaluation consultants who advised each of these programmes (and in the cases of BSLA and the IAP conducted the programme evaluations).

The processes described and the conclusions drawn should be of interest to anyone involved in international or national library evaluation, especially of public libraries, library associations and national libraries.

The paper suggests that more systematic impact evaluation of public libraries, library associations and national libraries is necessary to ensure their future survival.

The authors were uniquely placed to see and participate in IFLA impact evaluation discussions over the past decade.

As more countries have joined the Global Libraries (GL) Initiative, the IPA Specialists have gradually evolved into a cohesive team that finds opportunities to meet fairly regularly. Their discussions about the practicalities and challenges of conducting IPA at the country level have drawn attention to a number of issues that are likely to be relevant to other IPA specialists working in similar roles in other countries and to library service managers who are interested in impact evaluation. This paper aims to summarise some of the collective experiences.

Several of the IPA Specialists have “adopted” an issue. Some describe their own country approach to the topic; others have been more analytical in their presentations.

Opinions and findings about four topics are described. They are: sharing learning within the country and sharing beyond that country; ensuring that IPA evidence reflects government and international priorities, and finally combining qualitative and quantitative evidence‐forming strategic collaborations and telling stories.

The value of the paper lies in informing other IPA specialists in similar roles in other countries, and library service managers who are interested in impact evaluation.

The purpose of this paper is to report a range of innovative approaches, methods and tools for evaluating the impact of public libraries and supporting the development of library leaders drawn from projects supported by the Global Libraries initiative of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

A range of approaches, tools and methods are described by specialist staff who were directly involved with these innovations.

Some comments are provided on the effectiveness of these innovations.

All of these innovations have been tried out in public library settings, usually over a period of years.

All of the selected innovations could be adapted and used by library leaders or impact specialists.

Several of the innovations are specifically designed to engage library staff and users in evaluation processes.

The impact planning and assessment programme of GL was the largest sustained international public library evaluation programme so far attempted. This paper reports on the more innovative evaluation activities undertaken through this programme.

The purpose of this paper is to report on performance measurement and impact assessment progress made in 14 countries as part of the Global Libraries initiative, starting with the early country grants in Mexico and Chile. For the mature grants in Bulgaria, Botswana, Poland, Romania, Ukraine and Viet Nam which were recently completed or are approaching completion, the nature of the country program is outlined, before the impact assessment work is described and some recent results and conclusions are reported. A similar approach is adopted with pilot and new grants in Colombia, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey and Lithuania.

The country reports are presented as a series of case studies, in some cases supplementing those in an earlier special issue of this journal.

Where appropriate, recent country-specific survey findings are reported.

This paper shares Global Libraries IPA learning at country level with people in other countries who may be contemplating public library evaluation at regional, national or local level or who are interested in performance measurement and impact evaluation.

These cases studies reflect concentrated impact assessment and performance measurement work at country level across a range of countries over more than 12 years.

In this paper, the Libraries for Everyone Project and the studies carried out within the scope of the project are presented; the role of libraries as learning environments is discussed; and the data obtained from the library usage research/survey are shared. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

The research includes the findings of a questionnaire study that was applied in May, 2017 to 4,566 respondents from 147 libraries participating in the project. The population is represented with a 99% confidence level and a sampling error of 0.02. The sample size was decided based on the number of registered members in the libraries.

Municipal libraries have potential to be used as learning environments.

The usage survey reported in the study is the most comprehensive usage study on municipal libraries so far in terms of the number of participants. The Libraries for Everyone Project is the most extensive project implemented at municipal libraries in Turkey.