Statistics and Evaluation Section
Strategic Plan
2008-2009
Mission
The Section aims to promote the application of statistics, evaluation and assessment in libraries, both for the successful management and operation of libraries and for the demonstration of the value of libraries to their users, parent institutions and funding agencies.
Goals
1. Promote and demonstrate the value of the use of measurement and evaluation in the management, operation and promotion of libraries and library services.
(Pillars: Society, Profession. Professional priorities: (a) Supporting the role of libraries in society; (h) Developing library professionals; (i) Promoting standards, guidelines and best practice)
1.1. Hold meetings and sessions at IFLA conferences and elsewhere in furtherance of the goal.
(Status: Ongoing)
1.2. Maintain and develop the Section's website on IFLANET and, where appropriate, elsewhere.
(Status: Ongoing)
1.3. Improve communication with members and others through the development of the Newsletter, use of the discussion list and other appropriate measures.
1.4. Encourage participation in the work of the Section by members in all parts of the world.
2. Advocate the use of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods and tools and the development and use of standardised measures.
(Pillars: Profession, Society. Professional priorities: (h) Developing library professionals; (i) Promoting standards, guidelines and best practice); (k) Representing libraries in the technological marketplace)
2.1 Improve the application of evaluation and assessment tools through instruction and continuing education, and through appropriate projects and advocacy.
(Status: Ongoing. Seeking funding to support a Professional Report in 2006 updating a 2000 study on the teaching of statistics and evaluation)
2.2 Work with other organisations to promote the development and use of recognised standards for benchmarking and comparative analysis.
(Status: Ongoing)
2.3 Work with ISO, UNESCO and other international organisations to promote the development and use of recognised standards for benchmarking and comparative analysis.
(Status: Ongoing)
3. Co-operate with, assist and advise other IFLA sections in the use of measurement and evaluation in their fields.
(Pillars: Society, Membership, Profession. Professional priorities: (a) Supporting the role of libraries in society; (f) Promoting resource sharing; (h) Developing library professionals)
3.1. Continue to co-operate with other IFLA groups involved in the study and application of performance measures.
(Status: Ongoing. Continuing to co-operate with University and Reseach Libraries section in discussion group on Quality Measures. Co-operated with University and Reseach Libraries and with Information Technology sections in 2005; collaborating with Knowledge Management at Seoul 2006. Will seek to co-operate with Special Libraries in 2007.)
3.2. Work with other IFLA groups, library associations and relevant bodies to develop workshops and projects.
(Status: Ongoing. Collaboration with University of Northumbria in nominating the Performance Measurement Conference as an IFLA satellite conference; and with bodies such as LISU and ARL. Work with Norwegian library school during 2006 in project on the teaching of statistics and evaluation.)
4. Support international comparisons and collaboration with international agencies.
(Pillars: Society, Profession. Professional priorities: (a) Supporting the role of libraries in society; (f) Promoting resource sharing ; (i) Promoting standards, guidelines and best practice)
4.1. Develop working relationship with ISO and other standards organisations over the revision of standards for library statistics and performance measures
(Status: Ongoing)
4.2 Continue discussion with the UNESCO Institute of Statistics and other relevant bodies with a view to developing a new approach to global library statistics.
(Status: Initial contacts have been made with UNESCO Institute of Statistics in Montreal. Aim to develop these in a three-year programme to reinvigorate global library statistics by 2008 conference, involving OECD and ISO as appropriate.)
