Comp N | Evaluation Principles & Practice

Evaluate programs and services using measurable criteria

Section A | Definition of Competency

Competency N relates to evaluation of programs and services using measurable criteria and understanding types of evaluations and their purpose through course readings. INFO 282 Grant Writing textbook discusses types of evaluation and explains that “the key to writing an evaluation plan is to first have objectives that are measurable” (Gerding, 2016). Similar, to leadership discussed in competency M, it is important to have a strong vision and direction to attain the goal of the program and service and engage the needed support.

Evaluation types are all follows:

o Formative: conducting evaluations through life of project and make needed adjustments to ensure its overall success

o Summative: one evaluation at end of the project reporting on all accomplishments

o Quantitative: obtaining and analyzing data with numeric value over a large number of cases

o Qualitative: collect and examine data of stories in greater depth on a smaller scale

(Gerding, 2016)

These types of evaluations all include measurable objectives, and applies to evidence presented on altering a library service and creating a podcasting project in response to the objective of responding to a community with a positive impact.

Section B | Background to the Competency

Competency N centres on the importance of evaluating programs and services using measurable criteria and understanding their impact on improving program and services designs and provisions. The definition section initiates the understanding and discussion on evaluations and their importance.

This competency is included in the following course syllabus and relates to professional activities and services that are evident in INFO 204 Information Professions memo assignment and INFO 282 Grant Writing evaluation process.

Section C | Discussion of Evidence

INFO 204 | Services for Transient Clients

Document Available to Academic Advisor Only

This memo is on providing services for transient underhoused clients as an inclusive response to complaints of this community group in a public space. By gathering qualitative data on services implemented through other public libraries for these clients, the focus of this evaluation is on professional empathic response to broader community concern and awareness. Although an analysis was conducted an inclusive evaluation of the service, such as the suggested coffee and conversation with the underhoused community, and possible partnership with public health and an advocacy group to build the extended community understanding and offer direct support for clients. This memo serves as evidence for evaluating professional activities and services for improvement in the design and delivery in a public library space.

INFO 282 | CJRU Evaluation Process

Document Available to Academic Advisor Only

This evaluation process is for a grant proposal project from a radio station to fund a language podcast series. The organization is Radio Ryerson Inc. (CJRU 1280AM), a non-profit campus community broadcasting station situated and directly serving a university and local community. The project is a knowledge exchange to provide an opportunity for a university student from the cultural community to build leadership, media, and pedagogical skills through a Language Podcast series. These learning modules will support student scholarship, increase cultural visibility, and build cultural awareness for CJRU listeners, which includes the campus and local community.

The project evaluation process is formative as well as summative and includes quantitative and qualitative elements. Throughout this 10-month project there are milestones and continuous supports from staff and advisory to assure the student has resources needed for success. The summative component is at the end for reporting to funders with quantitative data such as analytics and qualitative data of feedback to report on the impact of this newly designed program. The worksheet also includes various measurable methods such as number of episodes as well as timeline and hours for activities, which is important to scale if original intent is achieved and adjustments implemented if needed. This evaluation process offers evidence of competency N for a newly proposed radio program that is a response to a community with measurable criteria.

Section D | Conclusion

Whether evaluating for a new service or program, competency N prepares information professionals to imagine our service in the community, beyond content and collections, as a collective impact on lives.

Section E | References

Buchanan, K. (2017). Services for Transient Clients [Unpublished assignment]. San José State University.

Buchanan, K. (2021). CJRU Grant Proposal Worksheet: Evaluation Process section [Unpublished assignment]. San José State University.

Gerding, S.K., & MacKellar, P.H. (2016). Winning grants: A how-to-do-it manual for librarians (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: Neal-Schumann.