Academic libraries the dimensions of their effectiveness

• Main Author: McDonald, J. A. 1942- Joseph Andrew (Author)
• Other Authors: Micikas, Lynda Basney
• Format: Unknown
• Language: English
• Published: Westport, Conn. Greenwood Press 1994
• Series: New directions in information management no. 32
• Subjects: Academic libraries > Evaluation > United States
• Online Access: Click Here to View Status and Holdings.
• Physical Description: xii, 188 pages 25 cm
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references (p. [171]-183) and index
• ISBN: 0313272697
• ISSN: 0887-3844

This book offers a completely new approach to the measurement of academic library effectiveness. Based on a significant empirical investigation, it contradicts established practices such as the measurement of outputs as indicators of effectiveness and the tendency to focus the evaluation of library effectiveness on the success of isolated activities. The book also explores in detail the fundamental inadequacy of library-based bibliographic instruction and information-seeking skills development. It argues that a student learns in order to become information literate and does not become information literate in order to learn. In so doing, it challenges much of the accepted wisdom in libraries and information technology.