Impact FOLIOz MSQ course

What is impact? ‘ Impact’ is the difference that is made to individuals, organisations or communities by library services (1)

Does impact differ from value? The term 'value' is often used synonymously to describe 'impact‘ (2). Value can be defined as “the benefit the user obtains from the use of information and the effect of that use” (2).

Why is impact important? Libraries usually measure the effectiveness of their services by using quantitative performance indicators such as usage statistics and user surveys (3). However, although this information is highly useful, it does not explain how services have affected the users. Evaluating the impact of library services is important because it is primarily concerned with the usefulness of the services to users i.e. - the effectiveness of outcomes rather than the efficiency of processes in services (3).

Typical impact outcomes Outcomes (4): Did we create greater awareness (i.e. what new information was received)? Did our audience comprehend what we were communicating (i.e. did their level of understanding increase from what it was before)? Did we change attitudes (i.e. what do they believe and feel that they didn’t before we began communication)? Did our target audience change their behaviour as a result of our communication (i.e. what did they actually do that was different from before)?

Types of impact There are a variety of impacts, for e.g: Impact on learning/ knowledge (i.e. skills) Impact on educational achievements Social impact (i.e. impact on quality of life, confidence etc) Impact on the work of users (i.e. research, academic work, patient care etc.)

Examples of impact There are several types of information and library services that can create an impact on users. These include: Customer care practices Library intranets (including online library catalogues) Mediated literature searching services Information skills training Enquiry desk services Books and journals collections Current awareness services Inter-library loans services

Illustrations of impact Below are illustrations of how library services can impact on users: The impact of inter-library loans on 3rd year students’ educational achievements The impact of mediated literature services on researchers' systematic reviews The impact of library intranet pages on an academics awareness of library services and resources The impact of information skills training on doctors' clinical decision making The impact of the books and journals collection on a public library users’ reading habits

What are the benefits of impact? The benefits of identifying impacts are that they (4): Can be used as tools to communicate service benefits to users Can be a powerful tool for demonstrating accountability and justifying funding needs to funding bodies and those responsible for resource allocation Can be used to build partnerships and collaborations with users Can help information services to determine which services should be expanded or replicated Can be used as a tool to single out exemplary services for recognition

References 1. David Streatfield and Sharon Markless. (2002). Critical evaluation of the LIC Value and Impact Programme Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. London: Resource. 2. Christine Urquhart and John Hepworth. (1995). The value to clinical decision making of information supplied by NHS library and information services. London, British Library Research and Development Department. [Online] [Accessed August 2009]The value to clinical decision making of information supplied by NHS library and information services 3. Christine Urquhart. (2004). "How do I measure the impact of my service? (Guideline)" Special Topic D, pp In: (eds) Andrew Booth and Anne Brice. (2004). Evidence-based Practice for Information Professionals. London, Fact Publishing 4. Peggy D Rudd. (2000) Documenting the difference: demonstrating the value of libraries through outcome measurement: pp Perspectives on Outcome Based Evaluation for Libraries and Museums. Washington, Institute of Museum and Library Services. [Online] [Accessed August 2009]Documenting the difference: demonstrating the value of libraries through outcome measurement: pp16-24.

Further Reading Michele Lonsdale (2003). Impact of School Libraries on Student Achievement: a Review of the Research. Report for the Australian School Library Association [online] [Accessed August 2009] Sharon Markless and David Streatfield (2006). Evaluating the impact of your library. London: Facet Publishing. ISBN: Ian McCallum and Sherrey Quinn (2004). Valuing Libraries The Australian Library Journal. 53: 1. [online] [Accessed August 2009]Valuing Libraries