Evaluating Public Library Events using a Combination of Methods
-
Jan Pisanski
und
Katarina Švab
Abstract
Public libraries hold an increasing number of events, where they face the very important, but often neglected, challenge of evaluation. This paper presents various studies performed to evaluate events for adults at the largest public library in Slovenia, Mestna knjižnica Ljubljana (Ljubljana City Library). A combination of methods was used: content analysis of library website and promotional brochures, interviews with both attendees and librarians, observation of events and a relatively large survey. Additionally, based on this research, seven personas representing typical user groups of events for adults were developed. While attendees were generally highly satisfied with the existing events, our research found room for improvement, especially regarding planning for particular user groups, scheduling and topical diversity of events and promotion aimed at both existing and potential visitors. Based on this research, Ljubljana City Library prepared guidelines for their future events for adults. Additionally, the general outline of the evaluation should be of benefit to any library regardless of type, size or location.
Funding source: Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost RS
Award Identifier / Grant number: P5-0361(B)
Acknowledgment
The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Slovenian Research Agency (research core funding No. P5-0361(B)).
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Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Articles
- Re-thinking Information Ethics: Truth, Conspiracy Theories, and Librarians in the COVID-19 Era
- User Expectations and Acceptance of Library Services at the African Union Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
- Health and Safety Information Behaviour of Coal Miners in Pakistan
- Recounting the Empowerment of Women in Rural Areas of KwaZulu-Natal from Information and Knowledge in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era
- Engaging Children’s Reading with Reflective Augmented Reality
- Evaluating Public Library Events using a Combination of Methods
- Individual Social Capital of Librarians: Results of Research Conducted in 20 Countries
- Announcement
- Best Student Research Paper Award 2021
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Articles
- Re-thinking Information Ethics: Truth, Conspiracy Theories, and Librarians in the COVID-19 Era
- User Expectations and Acceptance of Library Services at the African Union Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights
- Health and Safety Information Behaviour of Coal Miners in Pakistan
- Recounting the Empowerment of Women in Rural Areas of KwaZulu-Natal from Information and Knowledge in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era
- Engaging Children’s Reading with Reflective Augmented Reality
- Evaluating Public Library Events using a Combination of Methods
- Individual Social Capital of Librarians: Results of Research Conducted in 20 Countries
- Announcement
- Best Student Research Paper Award 2021
