Evaluation local studies

Thought has to be given as to how statistics and other evaluation data can be provided for a (mostly) reference collection. For digitised and digital material online use data can be collected. Other areas to consider reporting on include:

• Number of new still and moving images collected annually
• Percentage of local history photographs in the collection digitised
• Number of oral history interviews conducted per annum
• Number of times per annum exhibitions of local studies collections/materials are provided by the library
• Proportion of users who rate the relevance and quality of the Local Studies Collection as satisfactory or better
• Number of local history information requests
• Number of times per annum online local history resources are accessed
• Number of items added to the local history collection annually.

This list is from Living learning libraries 2018.

Evaluation from events, comments in visitors books, or from social media can be included. Categories covering local studies are included in the enquiry completion rate to provide quarterly data.

Evaluating services can help to improve or streamline what you do. The statistics can be used to make a case for funding or for continuing or expanding the service.

• Some suggestions to consider:
• In-house use
• Attendance - number people using collection/door count
• Number of items digitized
• Number of hits on web page/online collections etc
• Numbers attending programs/exhibitions

Guidelines for having a local studies collection

The value of a local studies collection

Who is the audience local studies

Collection policy local studies

Managing collections local studies

Providing access local studies

Rights and permissions local studies

Staff local studies

Researching local studies

Programs and publicity local studies