Developing a Practical Framework for Information Literacy Program Evaluation

This presentation was given at the Library Assessment Conference held from October 31–November 2, 2016 in Arlington, VA. The Purdue University Libraries, like many academic libraries, face increased expectations for demonstrating their value and impact. The Libraries launched a project to advance an outcomes-based, mission-centric framework for evaluating its information literacy programing. The methods for developing this framework consist of four steps: 1) focus groups with librarians to gain a more comprehensive understanding of existing assessment practices, 2) analysis of focus group findings, characterizing current assessment practices, 3) a gap analysis, comparing focus group findings to the information literacy mission statement, and 4) development of recommendations with measures/indicators to address gaps and develop a comprehensive framework for program evaluation. This presentation reported on the first three steps, concluding with suggestions for further development of the evolving framework. The assessment practices identified in the analysis of the focus group discussions suggested that librarians assessed how students critically used information to learn more than the other dimensions of the Purdue Libraries’ information literacy mission statement: research-based programming, empowerment of diverse learners, enabling the creation of new knowledge, and fostering academic, personal, and professional success. The findings suggest next steps in the development of the framework, including: 1) developing guidelines for collecting assessment data gathered by librarians for use in programmatic assessment, 2) determining assessment strategies for the Libraries and allocate resources, and 3) providing professional development and incentives for librarians to create assessment strategies related to all aspects the mission statement