Academic Libraries: The Dimensions of Their Effectiveness

(Hardback)

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Description

This book offers a completely new approach to the measurement of academic library effectiveness. Based on a significant empirical investigation, it contradicts established practices such as the measurement of outputs as indicators of effectiveness and the tendency to focus the evaluation of library effectiveness on the success of isolated activities. The book also explores in detail the fundamental inadequacy of library-based bibliographic instruction and information-seeking skills development. It argues that a student learns in order to become information literate and does not become information literate in order to learn. In so doing, it challenges much of the accepted wisdom in libraries and information technology.

Reviews

.,."a very useful book. The authors should be commended for addressing one of the most perplexing issues facing libraries....their insights and observations are sure to assist library administrators and researchers in their efforts to understand and measure the effectiveness and impact of libraries."-Library & Information Science Research
...a very useful book. The authors should be commended for addressing one of the most perplexing issues facing libraries....their insights and observations are sure to assist library administrators and researchers in their efforts to understand and measure the effectiveness and impact of libraries.-Library & Information Science Research
In the course of the research, (the authors) have devised a workable questionnaire, which can be used by other researchers. Their approach should resonate for administrators and effectiveness researchers dissatisfied with the recipe-book, performance measures approach.-RQ
The book is definitely worth reading for its summary of the research on library effectiveness and for the theoretical insights it presents about organizational effectiveness.- he Journal of Academic Librarianship
This is an excellant book for those who are interested in pursuing research in this area, or who may want to attempt an effectiveness study within their own library.-Journal of Information, Communication & Library Science
"In the course of the research, (the authors) have devised a workable questionnaire, which can be used by other researchers. Their approach should resonate for administrators and effectiveness researchers dissatisfied with the recipe-book, performance measures approach."-RQ
"The book is definitely worth reading for its summary of the research on library effectiveness and for the theoretical insights it presents about organizational effectiveness."- he Journal of Academic Librarianship
"This is an excellant book for those who are interested in pursuing research in this area, or who may want to attempt an effectiveness study within their own library."-Journal of Information, Communication & Library Science
..."a very useful book. The authors should be commended for addressing one of the most perplexing issues facing libraries....their insights and observations are sure to assist library administrators and researchers in their efforts to understand and measure the effectiveness and impact of libraries."-Library & Information Science Research

Author Bio

JOSEPH A. McDONALD is Associate Professor and Director of the Library at Fontbonne College. An authority on information systems design and management, his work has been published in journals such as Drexel Library Quarterly, Library Software Review, and The Reformed Journal. LYNDA BASNEY MICIKAS is an independent consultant in learning and information in Denver. She is also Director of The Human Genome Project: Information Access, Management, and Regulation for the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study at Colorado Springs, Colorado. She was formerly an Associate Professor and Chair of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at Holy Family College.