NEW! Project Outcome for Academic Libraries: Visit the Site

Outcome Measurement Made Easy

for Public Libraries

Resources and Tools to Create Surveys and Analyze Outcome Data

488,518

Responses collected through public library surveys

2,606

Public libraries have created surveys

Public Library Updates

Sunset of Project Outcome for Public Libraries

The Project Outcome for Public Libraries online platform for collecting and storing survey responses will be sunset in August 2025. If desired, libraries have until 31 July 2025 to download their data. Visit the Sunset FAQs for more information.

  • If your library plans to continue survey-based outcome measurement, use the Accessing Raw Survey Data tutorial to review how to download your patrons' individual survey responses.
  • If your library just needs a summary of the patron feedback you've collected, use the Building a Custom Report and Interpreting Summary Reports tutorials to create custom summary reports for archiving.
  • Only one user per public library is needed to download data or create reports. It is not necessary for every registered staff member to retrieve the data from the surveys they created.

What is Project Outcome?

We help libraries understand and share the true impact of their services and programs with simple surveys and an easy-to-use process to measure and analyze outcomes. Project Outcome is a free toolkit offering libraries access to training, data analytics, and standardized surveys that measure outcomes in key library service areas:

Service Areas

Civic community engagement service area

Civic/Community Engagement

Services to inform, enrich, preserve, and promote community engagement, ranging from government issues to recreational activities. Examples include: Cultural Activities, Government Services, or Civic Engagement services and programs.

Digital learning purple service area

Digital Learning

Services to access technology, build technology-related skills and confidence, and make beneficial use of digital resources and services to meet patron needs. Examples include: Technology Usage Skills, Internet Education, or Computer Education services and programs.

Early literacy service area

Early Childhood Literacy

Services to improve early literacy and learning skills to prepare children ages 0-5 for school. Examples include: Storytime, Parenting/Child Development, or Every Child Ready to Read services and programs.

Economic development service area

Economic Development

Services to improve business start-up and development skills. Examples include: Business Development or Starting Your Own Business services and programs.

Education lifelong learning service area

Education/Lifelong Learning

Services to gain and impart new knowledge and skills, improve academic performance, and engage in a variety of lifelong learning activities. Examples include: Book Club Reviews, Author Discussions, Education Classes or Labs, or Bookmobile services and programs.

Health service area

Health

Services to improve the health of patrons and their families. Examples include: healthy cooking, healthcare information, exercise, or health and wellness services and programs.

Job skills service area

Job Skills

Services to improve the skills needed to find and apply for jobs and advance careers. Examples include: resume help, job fairs, or job search services and programs.

Summer reading service area

Summer Reading

Services to provide fun, engaging, and continuous reading opportunities throughout the summer and limit learning gaps for school-aged children. Examples include: Summer Reading for Adults, Teens, and Children.