1. Data: The Key Ingredient in a Successful Project ILEAD USA, March 28, 2013

2. Use data to… Assess community needs Manage and continuously improve your project Evaluate your project’s impact Market and advocate

3. Colorado’s BTOP Project

4. 88 Public Computer Centers

7. Needs Assessment

8. 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)

9. 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

10. Why do it? To better meet patrons’ needs and interests To meet reporting requirements

11. How do we do it? Original Research -Surveys -Qualitative Techniques (interviews, etc.) Available Data

12. Available Data Sources

13. LRS.org Resources

14. Census

15. American Community Survey

16. Census/ACS Support

17. State Demographer

18. Internal Statistics

19. Project-Related Research

20. BTOP Needs Assessment Income Education level English language status

21. Project Management & Evaluation

22. Data Collection Timeline Collect early and collect often!

23. What data should be collected? Inputs Outputs Outcomes SMART objectives: what is measurable?

24. Inputs Quantify the effort expended on a project— resources and time

25. Examples of Input Measures Funds/in-kind funds expended Number of project staff Staff time Library hours

26. BTOP Input Measures Grant/matching funds Computer center hours Staff hours

27. Outputs Quantifying the levels of services and materials provided

28. Examples of Output Measures Circulation Visits Number of Programs Attendees at library programs Website visits

29. 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

32. Outcome Measures Documenting the effect a service has on the participants

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

34. Examples of BTOP Outcome Measures—Computer Classes After 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)

35. Examples of BTOP Outcome Measures—Open Access Users While 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.

36. 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

37. BTOP Project Evaluation

38. Power of Story

42. Tools for Collecting Data

43. Data Map Data element ReportCollection Point Quarterly Report Annual Report Grant Application Compliance OfficerWebsite Personnel $XX Broadband speed XXXX Type of classXXX Equipment $XX Scheduled one-to-one tutoring sessions X Hours open per 48-hr weekend XXXX

44. BTOP Reporting Tool

45. Data Burden

46. Thank You! Linda Hofschire, Hofschire_L@cde.state.co.usHofschire_L@cde.state.co.us Dave Hodgins, Hodgins_D@cde.state.co.usHodgins_D@cde.state.co.us www.lrs.org @lrs_co

47. Resources

48. Needs Assessment Resources Examples of library needs assessment studies: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/0613201 2/community-reference-making-libraries-indispensable- new-way http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/0613201 2/community-reference-making-libraries-indispensable- new-way http://www.rplf.org/download/Richmond_Needs_Doc_0 90216_sm.pdf http://www.rplf.org/download/Richmond_Needs_Doc_0 90216_sm.pdf Conducting surveys http://www.lrs.org/resources/research- methods/#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/ http://www.lrs.org/beyond-the-survey-innovative- techniques-for-learning-about-your-patrons-calcon- 2011/

49. Needs Assessment Resources LRS.org Needs Assessment Resources http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/public-libraries/resources- for-community-analysis/ http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/public-libraries/resources- for-community-analysis/ Census http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08000.html American Community Survey http://www.census.gov/acs/www/ http://www.census.gov/acs/www/ State Demographer http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DOLA- Main/CBON/1251590805419 http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/DOLA- Main/CBON/1251590805419 Internal Statistics: Public Libraries http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/public-libraries/http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/public-libraries/ School Libraries http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/school-libraries/http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/school-libraries/ Academic Libraries http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/academic- libraries/http://www.lrs.org/data-tools/academic- libraries/

50. 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.