![\"NeilYoung-blog-banner\"](\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/NeilYoung-blog-banner.jpg\")
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In 1979, Neil Young\u2014one of my favorite artists\u2014released the album Rust Never Sleeps<\/em>. It represented a conscious recognition that his music had to evolve to appeal to the changing tastes of a new generation. It\u2019s a message I took to heart then, and it continues to impact me today in my work with libraries.<\/p>\n How can libraries stay relevant? By remembering that rust never sleeps. And that the treatment for library rust can be found in one word: assessment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At OCLC, my research colleagues and I seek to understand what motivates people to engage in information environments. Then we propose responses that impact library use. We call it \u201cputting the library in the life of the user.\u201d<\/p>\n That\u2019s what assessment is all about. It\u2019s a structured process to learn about user communities and to evaluate how well libraries support them. In many ways, libraries have been doing this for years. Think of all the numbers we\u2019ve collected in the past to show value\u2014answered questions, collection use, program attendance, gate counts, website visits, etc.<\/p>\n What\u2019s changed in assessment is urgency and focus. We\u2019re shifting from stats to stories in order to demonstrate how libraries impact people\u2019s lives. And we need to do it quickly as competition for funding increases.<\/p>\n If, when you hear the word \u201cassessment,\u201d you groan or sigh\u2026 something is not right. It should make you excited. Assessment should be like solving a fun puzzle or going on a journey, not tracking stats. You\u2019re going to learn what people are actually doing in their information lives. You\u2019ll find out what they want and how they engage with your programs, spaces, events, and collections. You\u2019ll get some compliments on what\u2019s working well\u2026 and find some areas for growth. But then you can move forward with confidence.<\/p>\nDone right, library assessment is like solving a puzzle or going on a journey. #OCLCnext <\/a><\/span>Share on X<\/a><\/span>\n Want to get into the best headspace for creating a good assessment environment? Start here.<\/p>\n It\u2019s far too easy to make incorrect assumptions about your users\u2019 needs and motives. Make a commitment to get to know your community, what they\u2019re doing now, and what they\u2019d like to be able to do.<\/p>\n In 1979, Neil Young\u2019s place in the music industry may have been in doubt\u2026 at least in his mind. But, in 1994, Rust Never Sleeps<\/em> was voted as one of his top albums. He realized that staying the same wasn\u2019t an option, even if you\u2019re doing well.<\/p>\n Library assessment is iterative. It should be occurring all the time.<\/p>\n Users have more choices outside the library and new ones every day. But you can adapt. You can empower your library and staff to change and stay highly successful while providing offerings that your community expects and wants.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re interested in learning more about library assessment, please join me Tuesday, August 14 for Digging into Assessment Data: Tips, Tricks, and Tools of the Trade<\/a><\/em>, and Wednesday, October 3 for Take Action: Using and Presenting Research Findings to Make Your Case<\/a><\/em>. These webinars are part of a special series about assessment that brings together research and practice and provides useful, actionable data to promote and demonstrate the critical role your library plays in your community. Register now<\/a> for both or for the one that interests you. All sessions are being recorded, if you’re not able to attend. There\u2019s also a Learner Guide<\/a> available with activities to complete to help you get the most out of the webinar experience. The Learner Guide is valuable for those working together as a team to explore a library\u2019s assessment needs. One cohort of learners working through the series and related exercises is comprised of members of the OCLC Research Library Partnership, and they have been gathering for virtual meetings as the newly launched Library Assessment Interest Group<\/a>.<\/p>\n Photo credit: Darren Hauck\/Getty Images Entertainment\/Getty Images<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In 1979, Neil Young\u2014one of my favorite artists\u2014released the album Rust Never Sleeps. It represented a conscious recognition that his music had to evolve to appeal to the changing tastes of a new generation. It\u2019s a message I took to heart then, and it continues to impact me today in my work with libraries. How […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[36],"class_list":["post-2383","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-research","tag-library-management"],"yoast_head":"\nWhat is library assessment?<\/h2>\n
Assessing your assessment<\/h2>\n
The assessment mindset<\/h2>\n
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Rust is forever<\/h2>\n
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