Data-Driven Management and Interoperable Metrics for Special Collections and Archives User Services

Abstract

While special collections and archives managers have at times recognized the importance of using data to drive decision making, translating this objective into reality and integrating data analysis into day-to-day operations has proven to be a significant challenge. There have also been obstacles to formulating quantitative metrics for special collections and archives and rendering them interoperable across institutional boundaries. This article attempts to focus a conversation around two issues: 1) the importance of quantitative analysis of operational data for improving research services in special collections and archives; and 2) the need for the profession to achieve consensus on definitions for . . .

Library Impact Research Report: Impact of Archival Collections and Services on the Western University Department of History

“…As a shared resource, such data can be used as a benchmarking tool for evaluating operations at peer institutions. 33 Carter proposes the best way to demonstrate impact is through a variety of modes of assessment including surveying collections, process measurement, performing userdriven surveys, and teaching assessment. 34 Similarly, Dupont and Yakel call for archives and special collections to assess institutional data along with user studies, such as those facilitated by Archival Metrics, as solutions to communicating value and impact.…”

Utilization of Altmetrics as a Measure of Trust of Archival Data

“…However, archives assessment demonstrates a shortage of "reliable measures of institutional impact or nuanced portraits of audience engagement", as reported in a yearlong interdisciplinary research on assessing and indicating the value and impact of digitized ethnographic collections (Marsh et al, 2015). Furthermore, the lack of methods for using data-driven decision-making in institutions impacts the change and definition of metrics which allow for cross-institutional comparison (Chapman & Yakel, 2012).…”

Data-Driven Decision Making: An Holistic Approach to Assessment in Special Collections Repositories

“…More recent literature, particularly the Fall 2012 special RBM: A Journal of Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Cultural Heritage issue on assessment, focuses on a varied array of hypothetical assessment strategies for special collections and archives. Articles from this issue establish the framework for an evidence-based practice approach to assessment (Chapman & Yakel, 2012), outline methods for conducting archival collections assessment (Conway & Proffitt, 2012) and instruction assessment (Bahde & Smedberg, 2012), and considerations for assessing online finding aid and website design (Hu, 2012). Only one article offers a practical case study, detailing how assessment methodologies might be applied in a specific circumstance (Gustainis, 2012).…”