Project Outcome Results in Action

By Samantha Lopez

Originally published in Public Libraries Magazine | NOV/DEC 2017 | VOL.56 | NO.6

Also published in Public Library Quarterly | https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2018.1448208

PLA commissioned ORS Impact to interview participating libraries and community stakeholders to create five success case studies for its performance measurement initiative, Project Outcome (PO). PO is a free online toolkit designed to help public libraries understand and share the impact of essential library programs and services by providing simple surveys and an easy-to-use process for measuring and analyzing outcomes. What PLA learned from the case studies is that, even with limited survey responses, libraries are able to leverage their outcome data into actionable results. By using Project Outcome surveys, libraries are tracking their impact across time; improving and expanding programs and services to meet community needs; supporting new and deepening existing partnerships; and increasing library championship.

 

Featured case studies include:

• Using Project Outcome with Summer Library Program to Track Impact Across Time and Strengthen Championship, Appleton (WI) Public Library
• Using Project Outcome with Summer Reading and Digital Literacy Programs to Support Partnership Development and Expand Services at a Small Library, Burnsville (WV) Public Library
• Using Project Outcome with Business Development and Job Skills Programs to Deepen Partnerships, Improve Services, and Increase Library Championship, Pima County (AZ) Public Library
• Using Project Outcome with Storytime and Teen Programs to Improve Programming and Better Meet Community Needs, Plano (TX) Public Library
• Using Project Outcome with Digital Literacy Programs and Online Training Services to Improve Programming, Inform Resource Investment, and Sustain Partnership, Thomas Crane (Mass.) Public Library

 

Read the full article HERE.