The Public Library Association (PLA) has launched Outcome Measurement for Public Libraries from its Project Outcome toolkit, marking the culmination of a decade-long effort to support outcome measurement in public libraries. Originally funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2015, Project Outcome enabled libraries to assess program effectiveness through patron surveys and outcome data.
To date, more than 2,600 libraries have participated, generating nearly 500,000 responses from over 38,000 surveys on the Project Outcome platform. PLA is transitioning the platform’s resources to be freely downloadable and customizable for local use, sunsetting the original online platform. The new resources include nine standard surveys on topics such as summer reading, job skills, digital learning, health, and early childhood literacy.
A 2023 user survey showed that 70% of respondents found the tools improved assessment practices. The updated webpage offers survey templates, data visualization tools, and evaluation training, aiming to help library staff incorporate outcome-based strategies into advocacy and planning efforts. PLA also continues to support national data projects and measurement initiatives.
Click here to read the original press release.
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