A library instruction case study: measuring success from multiple perspectives

Abstract

Measuring the effectiveness of library instruction poses many challenges, yet is essential to validating the time and energy dedicated to it. Over two years, how subject specific library instruction addressed the needs of the students, the instructor and the librarians was studied. Students were surveyed; librarians analyzed their research paper bibliographies and interviewed the instructor. Using the concept of success provided a meaningful way to assess effectiveness. The study found that instructor and student indicators of success were well met while the librarian's success was less clear. Doing this study confirmed the belief that the one-shot workshop is only part of a holistic and continuous library instruction program.