COMPETENCY N

“THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY STATE IS THE EDUCATION OF ITS YOUTH.”     -Dionysius

N.
Evaluate programs and services on specified criteria.

       Library programs and services are a necessary aspect of any library. Evaluating library programs and services are important to maintain accurate services and programs to meet the needs of the patrons as well as the library’s budget. Guidelines for evaluating programs and services can be created by the librarian them self following the policy, mission and vision of the library or they can follow the guidelines established by the ALA’s Reference and User Services Association. Specific criteria for evaluations can help libraries maintain programs and services that continue to meet the goals of the library.
       As part of the curriculum in Library 266, Collection Management, I had to create a collection development policy for a fictional library (Library 266 Policy). The policy had to follow certain criteria given to us by the teacher, along with any additions we wanted to add. With any collection development policy it is necessary to establish the mission, vision, and goals for the library. Every aspect of library services should reflect the goals of the library. By having this guideline, the librarian, library staff, and patrons have a better understanding on how decisions are made.
       In Library 260a, Programming and Services for Children, I had to view a library program in preparation of creating a twelve-month programming plan for the library of my choice. I visited the San Ramon Public Library located in San Ramon, CA. The program I observed was a story time session (Library 260a Story). Based on criteria given to me from my professor, I viewed the story time and made notes on the positives and negatives of the event. There is no one-way to do a story time, each librarian chooses what they are comfortable with and what fits the demographics of the community. I based my observations on whether the librarian, children, and parents enjoyed the event and if the books and music used were appropriate for the age group I was viewing.
       For Library 260a I watched a special event with a master storyteller who performed songs, and acted out scenes to the children (Library 260a Master) in the children’s area of the Danville Public Library, located in Danville, CA. Because the assignment was to view any special event, there was no specific criteria to follow. Finding information on the performer’s background, the budget for the program at the library and details of the event were just a few of the details I provided in the assignment. I based my criteria on whether the program was well attended, if the children were enjoying the event and if the event encouraged patrons to read. Penny Peck, an instructor at SJSU, stated in her book, Crash Course in Children’s Services, “Good programming draws the community into the library and makes it easier to get the funds to stay open when the budget cuts are proposed.” Based on the criteria I used to judge this event, I found the program to be unsuccessful because of lack of attendance and the storyteller’s inability to hold the children’s attention.


References

American Library Association (2011). Reference and User Services Association. Retrieved September 1, 2011 from http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/about/index.cfm

Library of Congress (2006). On These Walls. Retrieved July 20, 2011 from http://www.loc.gov/loc/walls/

Peck, P. (2006). Crash course in children’s services. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Evidence:  Libr 244: Collection Development Policy
Libr 260a: Master Storyteller and Storytime Review