knowing me, knowing you: assessment and the archivists toolkit at the rbml cosa – nagara – saa...
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KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU:Assessment and the Archivists Toolkit at the RBML
COSA – NAGARA – SAA Joint Annual MeetingFriday August 15, 2014
Goals• To understand users’ needs and experiences using the
RBML
• To evaluate service at the RBML
• To collect data in a more strategic way
• To establish a long term, iterative, sustainable assessment strategy for the RBML
Archival Metrics Toolkit Surveys
• Onsite Users• Students who have attended an orientation session
• Instructors who use the archives for teaching
• Online users of the website• Online users of finding aids
What best describes your position?
Faculty member or post-doc
24%
Other23%
Undergrad.15%
Master's16%
Doctoral22%
Which best characterizes the project that motivated this visit to the Rare Book and Manuscript Library?
Film or video
Curriculum development/teaching preparation
Family history project
Administrative or work-related product
Gathering information, but don't have a final project in mind
Other
Class assignment
Dissertation or thesis
Publication (e.g. article, book)
7 (1%)
9 (2%)
10 (2%)
29 (5%)
42 (7%)
49 (9%)
117 (21%)
134 (24%)
198 (35%)
RESPONSE COUNT (RESPONSE %)
TY
PE
OF
PR
OJ
EC
T
How many times have you used the Rare Book and Manuscript Library?
74%
16%
4%7%
First time 2-5 times 6-10 times > 10 times
How long have you been using archival materials?
31%
11%
26%
32%
First time < one year 1-5 years > 5 years
Please indicate your level of satisfaction with the facilities, services and staff of the RBML.
Questionnaire items 1 (completely dissatisfied) 5 (completely satisfied)
No opinion
Response
count Study areas 0% 0% 4% 16% 72% 8% 495
Noise level 0% 2% 6% 21% 71% 0% 502
Furniture 1% 1% 7% 18% 71% 2% 498
Physical Access to the building 0% 1% 4% 18% 70% 7% 489
Lighting 1% 3% 8% 21% 67% 0% 504
Informational/ navigational signs 0% 2% 8% 20% 60% 9% 491
Temperature 2% 5% 12% 20% 60% 0% 502
Internet access 0% 1% 1% 7% 57% 34% 479
Hours of service 1% 5% 16% 26% 51% 1% 499
Website 0% 1% 6% 21% 50% 22% 477
Catalogs/ indexes/ findings aids 0% 2% 5% 20% 43% 30% 467
Exhibits 0% 0% 1% 10% 41% 47% 466
Reference books 0% 0% 2% 5% 28% 65% 465 Photocopying / duplication services
1% 2% 2% 5% 24% 67% 455
Microfilm and fiche viewing facilities
0% 1% 1% 3% 19% 76% 466
What else did we learn?
• Planning is key
• Get “buy-in” from your entire staff
• Paper and immediacy
• Be prepared to make change and build on what you’ve learned
• A culture of assessment