Reading Reflections - 7/12

Assessing Learning: The Missing Piece in Instruction?

Harada and Yoshina discuss how to assess whether or not students are actually learning the skills taught in the library. They provide examples of ways to assess. The first example is for a second grade class. In this example, a checklist is used as the assessment tool. In the secondary example, a rubric is used as the assessment tool. On each of these examples, the last step was to use the assessment results to improve instruction. I think that many times assessments are given, but then the data is not analyzed, therefore, the assessment is basically useless. I think that data analysis after assessment is vital, whether in the library or a classroom.

Harada and Yoshina also suggest using assessment tools that are already available. There is no sense in re-inventing the wheel!

Woolls - Chapter 13: On the Job: Managing Program Evaluation and Assessment

This chapter really reiterates why program evaluation is a vital part of the library program. Woolls mentions that it is important for those who have misunderstood the purpose of the library program.

There are two types of measurements: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative measurements are not always good because too much emphasis may be put on how many materials the library has and not on the quality of the materials. Woolls stresses the importance of weeding the library collection in order to keep high quality resources. If measurements are done quantitatively, the necessary weeding may not be done. Qualitative measures are "much more significant, but much more difficult to determine" (Woolls, 205). Qualitative measures compare "what is" to "what should be" to assess the quality of the materials.

Woolls also talks about the importance of staff evaluation. The evaluation should match job expectations that are determined in advance. Clerical staff must be evaluated as well.

Collection measurement is very important, but yearly analysis is impractical because of the time it would take. Woolls suggests that part of the collection should be done every year. Again, she stresses the importance of weeding the collection in order to maintain a high quality collection.

Evaluation is so important because it lets others, such as administration, know how important the library program is. Budget cuts are getting worse, and unfortunately libraries are on the chopping blocks in many districts, but it will be harder to justify the cut of a highly successful library program.