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Assessment Team Charge

Vision Statement

The Zahnow Library Assessment Team believes that quality assessment and evaluation can be a powerful part of impacting student lives. The Assessment Team will work together to create a culture of assessment at Zahnow Library by connecting student learning and success to library services and to continually improve how the library meets student needs. As the role of libraries changes and grows within the university, this team will be at the forefront of adapting our library to the needs of the students, faculty, and staff of Saginaw Valley State University.

Charge

The Zahnow Library Assessment Team advises and assists the Research and Assessment Librarian with assessment initiatives by: helping in the development of selected assessment endeavors; reviewing, analyzing, and discussing data from projects; promote participation in library assessment projects; and recommend changes to the Library Assessment Plan as needed. The Library Assessment Team may form specialized subcommittees to review and develop recommendations as needed.

The Team will consult with other library teams, department heads and the library director, as well as relevant departments across campus. This team could also serve as consultants for any faculty or staff embarking on assessment efforts.

Team Leadership

The Assessment & Research Librarian will provide a leadership role for the Assessment Team by working with the team regarding meeting agendas, assessment plan development, assessment proposals and assessment projects.

Team Direction

The Library Director and Department Heads will approve the assessment plan and assessment projects.

Strategies

Assessment data will be used to revise and improve library services, programs, and resources by identifying changing patterns in user needs and satisfaction levels of current library practices.

The team will create a realistic timeline for library assessment initiatives.

Deliverables

The Assessment Team will:

  • Compile an annual report of assessment initiatives at the library
  • Create, recommend and implement the library's assessment plans in a yearly plan
  • Recommend, develop, and/or implement changes based on the conducted assessments
  • Publish assessment reports of current projects

Membership

The Assessment Team will consist of the Assessment and Research Librarians and the other librarians in the Technical Services Department.

Rotating membership will also include a representative from Access Services and from Technical Services.

Members include:

  • Marlene Edge-Phillips -Team Leader
  • Matthew Buckley
  • Catherine Curtis
  • Heather Hillaker
  • Beth Johns
  • Michelle Strasz
  • Sharon Reff

Duties

Assessment Team Member Duties

Assessment Team members will assist with the planning and carrying out of assessment efforts.

As appropriate, team members will help with the following:

  • User Surveys
  • Usability Studies
  • Random Sample Studies
  • Focus Groups
  • Interviews
  • Creation of Reports
  • Define purpose of assessment projects

Assessment Team Leader Duties

The Assessment Team Leader will:

  • Establish goals for the team
  • Hold team meetings
  • Report team findings and recommendations to Library Department Heads and Library Director
  • Compile and edit reports
  • Finalize Assessment Plan

Meetings

The Assessment Team will meet as needed throughout year. 

For questions or problems, please contact Beth Johns. or Matthew Anderson.