tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232965658384447649.post5142762567525006867..comments2023-12-27T11:59:14.632-08:00Comments on Eva's Book Addiction: Looking at children's library services with new eyes - part 3Eva Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07921035998297319995noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232965658384447649.post-84171043186853886682009-11-04T09:40:03.491-08:002009-11-04T09:40:03.491-08:00As Martha mentions, the fact that many library sys...As Martha mentions, the fact that many library systems (including our own) are facing cutbacks in staff and hours is all the more reason to figure out what our service priorities are and how best to meet them. And I agree with you, Josu - but we need to have outcomes measurements not to provide good PR but to improve and focus our services. And of course it can only help our cause if we can show our donors and governing agencies some real and meaningful data about the effects our service is having on our community!Eva Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07921035998297319995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232965658384447649.post-3506711996797702112009-11-03T15:41:01.822-08:002009-11-03T15:41:01.822-08:00I just got done reading your post and I found it v...I just got done reading your post and I found it very interesting. It seems though that the libraries which you describe are solely focused on outcomes and statistics that can be analyzed and presented to advocate the course of action being taken. In a book I am reading called Good to Great and The Social Sector by Jim Collins. The book focuses on the processes that transform a good organization into a great and enduring organization. The message that he sends is not to focus on inputs or statistics rather formulate a consistent and intelligent method of assessing your output results and focus on on how to improve toward your goal. I think that the Library should be concerned with their goals rather than statistics. I know that this can be tough how do determine if a certain program is working or not, but statistics do not tell the whole story. If the library sees a 20% increase in teh number of teens that sign up and complete teh SRC does this mean that these teens now view the library as a valuable resource and will continue to utilize it. I don't know. Who knows maybe that individual won't visit the library until the SRC program the following summer. I can definetly see where you are coming from though. Should libraries scramble to do more and more to serve their youth and advocate literacy, education etc? Or should they focus on trying to find innovative ways to reach those youth and stop focusing on statistics that are good PR?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12246167257286876381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6232965658384447649.post-88122356943375372372009-11-02T14:27:31.514-08:002009-11-02T14:27:31.514-08:00Loved your 3 part series. Good food for thought. ...Loved your 3 part series. Good food for thought. BTW, just think how reduced staff and mandatory work furlough hours are going to effect the stats for the rest of the fiscal year. I've already had to postpone school visits. I can't make any plans since our schedules are only set for the next 2 weeks.Marthahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08343010273837287295noreply@blogger.com