Global Libraries impact planning and assessment progress: part 2

Abstract

Purpose 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. Design/methodology/approach The country reports are presented as a series of case studies, in some cases supplementing those reported earlier in this journal. Findings Recent country-specific survey findings are reported and some conclusions are offered. Research limitations/implications 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. Practical implications 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. Social implications 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. Originality/value These case studies reflect concentrated impact evaluation and performance measurement work at country level across a range of countries over more than 18 years.

Library stories: a systematic review of narrative aspects within and around libraries

“…In evaluations of libraries, narrative approaches hold great promise. Streatfield et al (2019, p. 102) argue that “there has been a significant shift beyond performance data collection towards evaluating the impact of public libraries”. The impact of libraries is assessed with multiple purposes (ISO 16439:2014), one of which is to promote the libraries' role and value for learning and research, education and culture, social and economic life.…”

Innovative impact planning and assessment through global libraries

“…More information about this project can be found in the companion paper on impact planning and assessment of public libraries in this issue (Streatfield et al, 2019).…”

“…The National Library, with participation from the Impact Group members (see below), developed guidelines and specific impact measurement tools, which include elements of the Global Libraries CIMS which was used by Novateca as part of its evaluation structure. (The Novateca CIMS work is described in the companion paper, Streatfield et al, 2019).…”

“…For nearly 20 years, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Libraries initiative supported thousands of public libraries in more than 50 countries, helping them align programming with their communities' needs. A brief introduction to the Global Libraries (GL) initiative and its country grants programme is given at the beginning of another paper in this issue (Streatfield et al, 2019), including the role of the impact specialists employed as part of the country teams.…”

“…The National Library issued a call for tenders last year for this CIMS to be conducted and expects to award the contract in March 2019, which represents another first-time achievementa CIMS survey to be conducted after completion of the programme. (More information on CIMS surveys is shown in the companion paper in this issue (Streatfield et al, 2019).…”