About the ReviewerIf You Want to Evaluate Your Library .... By F.W. Lancaster. Second ed. Champaign, Ill.: University of Illinois, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, 1993. xv, 352p. ISBN 0–878–45091–2. $39.50.
Lancaster’s second edition is an update and expansion of his first edition. In his “Introduction” he provides a well–written overview and explanation of evaluation—inputs, outputs, outcomes, cost–effectiveness, and benefits. Then he discusses the need and purpose of evaluation, evaluation methods, and diagnostic evaluation.
The book is divided into three sections: document delivery services, reference services, and other aspects. In the “Introduction” Lancaster discusses the “known item search,” i.e., for an item owned: is it cataloged, can user find the entry, is it on the shelf, can user find the item, and what is the user’s probability of success. He states that evaluation of the collection must be considered in terms of its value to the user of the library — “Books are for use rather than for collection.”
In the first section of the book “Chapter 2” on document delivery services the author reviews various formulae and elements (such as expert judgment and bibliographic checking) for collection development and evaluation. In Chapter 3 he discusses analyses of use — general patterns, relative use, last circulation date, title availability, and analysis of interlibrary loan. Chapter 4 deals with in–house use as a supplement to circulation data. He notes weaknesses in determining whether in–house use can be an accurate measurement of collection use. He suggests various methods of utilizing both in–house use and circulation data in collection evaluation. The author suggests that evaluating the use of the reference collection is not easy or often attempted; he briefly suggests some ideas on how it might be accomplished.
In Chapter 5 Lancaster discusses various criteria for evaluating the periodical collection, so very necessary in the present period of austerity. Chapter 6 covers obsolescence, weeding, and use of space. Chapter 7 reviews catalog use, i.e., proportion of patrons that make use of the catalog, how they use the catalog, for what purpose, and the degree of success. “Shelf Availability,” Chapter 8, reviews the last step in “known item search” steps. It covers the probability of availability of a book which is controlled by three major factors: level of popularity, number of copies owned, and length of the loan period.
Lancaster then discusses, in Chapter 9, the major factors affecting success of document delivery. These are: can the user find an entry in the catalog and if he finds an entry, can he find the item on the shelf. Chapter 10 reviews, in some detail, the evaluation of reference service answering of factual questions. In the next chapter he tackles the problem of database searching, suggesting evaluation criteria and their application. There is an extended review of the problems of electronic database selection, subject searching, and CD–ROM databases. The author covers both quantitative and qualitative results of the evaluation process.
A new area, not covered in the first edition, is the evaluation of bibliographic instruction “Chapter 12”. The chapter is a thorough and excellent addition to the book. There is a brief discussion of the evaluation resource sharing in the next chapter. The next two chapters cover cost–effectiveness considerations and cost–benefits studies. The last chapter addresses continuous quality control. Included.jn the book is an excellent list of references. Lancaster’s book, although meant to serve primarily as a text for library school courses, is most useful and valuable for library administrators who are interested in evaluating the library’s collection and its effectiveness in meeting the needs of the public the collection is designed to serve.
Alphonse F. Trezza was a Professor in the School of Library and Information Studies, Florida State University, from 1982 until his recent retirement. His earlier positions included Associate Executive Director, American Library Association; Director of the State Library of Illinois; and, Executive Director, National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS). At NCLIS, he prepared major reports on the American library situation and administered the White House Conference on Libraries in 1979. He is author of numerous publications in his special fields of interest, networks and management.
© 1993 Alphonse F. Trezza.
Citation
Trezza, Alphose F., “Review of If You Want to Evaluate Your Library ..., by F.W. Lancaster,” Third World Libraries, Volume 4, Number 1 (Fall 1993).