A practical manual on the process of library outcomes assessment. It includes detailed case studies and discusses how to: prepare an outcomes assessment strategy; execute your plan by collecting and analyzing data; and measure the value of the services you are providing.

This practical, how-to manual, with detailed case studies from actual outcomes assessment programs, will prepare you to: Plan an outcomes assessment strategy for your library that is in line with accrediting guidelines; Execute your plan by identifying user needs, collecting and analyzing data, and presenting your findings; Measure the value of the services you are providing and identify areas for improvement; Armed with hands-on tools and real-life examples, you will be inspired to get a handle on how successful your services are in the context of what your students and users need and want. Included are policies of major accrediting bodies for higher education, guidelines developed by the Association for Research and College Libraries, and a chapter that applies academic library outcomes assessment to public libraries. Libraries can maintain accreditation and funding, assess student and user learning, and determine the library's role in graduate and faculty research as they demonstrate their effectiveness using outcomes assessment. This innovative action plan provides tools and data collection instruments that is based on the latest research and adaptable to any type of library.