Data: The Key Ingredient in a Successful ProjectILEAD USA, March 28, 2013

Use data to…

• Assess community needs•Manage and continuously improve your

project• Evaluate your project’s impact•Market and advocate

Colorado’s BTOP Project

88 Public Computer Centers

Needs Assessment

Needs Assessment

Needs assessment “is a systematic process of collecting, organizing, and analyzing data about the library and its environment. It is designed to assist the administrator in choosing from alternative patterns of satisfying [patrons’] information needs and interests.”

-Grover, Greer, & Agada (2010)

Needs Assessment

• Problem statement• How do you know there’s a problem?•What data and other information do you

have to support your premise?

“If you can quantify the issue, it will strengthen your proposal.”

-Jane Martel

Why do it?

• To better meet patrons’ needs and interests• To meet reporting requirements

How do we do it?

• Original Research-Surveys-Qualitative Techniques (interviews, etc.)

• Available Data

Available Data Sources

LRS.org Resources

Census

American Community Survey

Census/ACS Support

State Demographer

Internal Statistics

Project-Related Research

BTOP Needs Assessment

• Income• Education level• English language status

Project Management & Evaluation

Data Collection Timeline

Collect early and collect often!

What data should be collected?

• Inputs• Outputs• Outcomes

• SMART objectives: what is measurable?

Inputs

Quantify the effort expended on a project—resources and time

Examples of Input Measures

• Funds/in-kind funds expended• Number of project staff• Staff time• Library hours

BTOP Input Measures

• Grant/matching funds• Computer center hours• Staff hours

Outputs

Quantifying the levels of services and materials provided

Examples of Output Measures

• Circulation• Visits• Number of Programs• Attendees at library programs•Website visits

BTOP Output Measures

• Number of classes offered• Hours of class time• Number of class attendees• Number of one-on-one trainings• Number of open access computer users• Hours of open access usage

Outcome Measures

Documenting the effect a service has on the participants

Examples of Outcome Measures• Created a resume• Improved reading skills• Traced family history• Got a job interview

Examples of BTOP Outcome Measures—Computer ClassesAfter taking today’s class, I am better able

to… use a computer. use the Internet. create or edit a website. view and/or share digital photos. use software (ex: Word, Google Docs,

Photoshop, Excel, Quickbooks)

Examples of BTOP Outcome Measures—Open Access UsersWhile I was on a computer in the computer

center today, I looked for employment. used software (ex: Google Docs, Excel,

Word, Photoshop). communicated with someone (ex:

email, chat, Facebook). did schoolwork.

Data Use for Project Management•Who is the customer and what does she

need/want?• User profiles—implications for staffing and

programming• One-on-one trainings• Class attendee demographics

BTOP Project Evaluation

Power of Story

Tools for Collecting Data

Data Map

Data elementReport Collection Point

Quarterly Report

Annual Report

Grant Application

Compliance Officer Website

Personnel $ X X

Broadband speed

X X X X

Type of class X X X

Equipment $ X X

Scheduled one-to-one tutoring sessions

X

Hours open per 48-hr weekend

X X X X

BTOP Reporting Tool

Data Burden

Thank You!

Linda Hofschire, Hofschire_L@cde.state.co.us Dave Hodgins, Hodgins_D@cde.state.co.us

www.lrs.org @lrs_co

Resources

Needs Assessment Resources• Examples of library needs assessment studies:

http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/06132012/community-reference-making-libraries-indispensable-new-way• http://www.rplf.org/download/

Richmond_Needs_Doc_090216_sm.pdf• Conducting surveys• http://www.lrs.org/resources/research-methods/

#Surveys• Survey alternatives (interviews, card sorts, diaries, etc.) • http://www.lrs.org/beyond-the-survey-innovative-

techniques-for-learning-about-your-patrons-calcon-2011/

Needs Assessment Resources• LRS.org Needs Assessment Resources

http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/public-libraries/resources-for-community-analysis/• Census

http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html• American Community Survey

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/• State Demographer

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DOLA-Main/CBON/1251590805419• Internal Statistics:• Public Libraries http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/public-libraries/• School Libraries http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/school-libraries/ • Academic Libraries http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/academic-

libraries/

Additional Resources

• Grover, R.J., Greer, R.C., & Agada, J. (2010). Assessing information needs: Managing transformative library services. Denver, CO: Libraries Unlimited.• Orcutt, D. (Ed.) (2010). Library data:

Empowering practice and persuasion. Denver, CO: Libraries Unlimited.