How are you defining "library assessment?" And do you mean courses devoted solely to that topic, or courses that "cover" that topic?

I can't think of a course I teach that does not cover that topic.

The youth services courses I teach all include collection evaluation and user needs' evaluation. Programming and outreach services are both based on an assessment of community needs and the library's response to those.

I emphasize the importance of user needs' evaluation in cataloging, particularly in regard to selection of a subject heading list (LCSH? Sears? or something else?) and classification system (LCC? DDC? or something else?). We can't talk about Cutter's rules without talking about importance of understanding and meeting user needs.

History of books and libraries is essentially library assessment through the ages.

Suzanne M. Stauffer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

School of Library and Information Science

Louisiana State University

275 Coates Hall

Baton Rouge, LA 70803

(225)578-1461

Fax: (225)578-4581

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Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge?
Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?

--T.S. Eliot, "Choruses from The Rock"

Hi all,

A couple years ago, I tried to compile a list of LIS courses that cover "library assessment". Now, I need to update the list. This is what I have so far (below). If your program has a course that is not included below, please send me an email offlist.

Thanks!

Megan

LIS Program	Title of Course that Teaches Students Library Assessment Skills
UIUC	Evaluating Programs & Services
Syracuse	Planning, Marketing, & Assessing Library Services
Michigan	Evaluation of Systems & Services Outcome Based Evaluation of Programs and Services
Rutgers	Evaluation of Library and Information Services & Systems
Indiana	Evaluation of Resources and Services
Texas	Administration
Wisconsin	Information Services Management
Hawaii	Teaching Information Technology Literacy
Florida	Planning, Evaluation, & Financial Management

Megan Oakleaf, MLS, PhD

Assistant Professor

iSchool

326 Hinds Hall

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY 13244

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