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
About the RBML
WHY DO ASSESSMENT?
Brainstorming Worksheet
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
Lots of Data- No
Big Picture
LibQual
In-house Database
Reading Room Stats
Archival Metrics Toolkit
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
ARCHIVALMETRICS.ORG
HOW DID WE DO IT?
Survey Form and Collection Box
WHAT DID WE LEARN?
Are you affiliated with Columbia University?
Yes37%
No63%
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
