RETURN ON INVESTMENT FOR LIBRARIES AND

LIBRARIANS

Quantifying and Qualifying Value In a Budget-Conscious World

ROI In Library-Land:A 3-Tier Approach

The Quantitative Value Of Libraries Through Numbers

The Qualitative Value Of Libraries Through Service, Programs and Publicity

The All-Around Value Of Librarians!

Data!

Reference Statistics Database Usage Statistics Cataloguing Data Physical Visits To the Library Web Survey Tools – Reference Services Training Course Reviews

Demonstrating Your Value Market Yourself Aggressively Know Your Audience Be a Part of the Organization Find an Advocate

“Saving Libraries in a Recession”

Information Outlook (July-Aug 2009)

What Can I Do?

Offer Free Training Classes and Instruction

Add Library Tours To New Employee Orientations

Provide TOC Services Get Published! Develop a Great Website or Intranet Site Offer Lectures From Experts At Your

Organization

More Ideas! Create Great Signage (Electronic &

Physical) Offer Visitors a One-Page Summary Of

Library Services and Information Distribute New Book Lists To Regular

Patrons Attend Organization-wide Events and All-

Hands Meetings Demonstrate How Library Supports the

Organization’s Mission With Display Boards

Review Best Practices Of Other Libraries

6 Reasons To Love Librarians! Intellectual Curiosity and A Passion For

Learning Desire To Provide Access & To Serve Others Ability To Instruct Broad-scope Knowledge Of Internal & External

Resources Maintain Professional Networks Provide an Organizational Resource on

Intellectual Property Issues

A Love of Learning

Offer the Love Of the Hunt Suggest Better Search Methodologies

To Patrons Provide the Value Of an MLS

Instruction in ReferenceKnowledge of Database Structure &

Indexing

Providing Access & Serving All Offer Knowledge Of How Best To

Provide Access Provide Knowledge Of Organization’s

Information Needs Contribute Knowledge Of Issues

Involved In Providing Access To Digitized Documents

Offer Understanding Of Knowledge Of the Important Questions To Ask Users

Providing Access & Serving All Provide Knowledge Of Contracts Issues Offer Access To Other Information

Professionals On Negotiating and Securing Contracts

Providing Quality Instruction Provide Group and Individual Instruction

In Use of Resources Offer Assistance With Both Print and

Electronic Resources Show Users When To Use Electronic

and When To Use Print Offer Suggestions About How To Use

Resources Effectively and Efficiently

Knowledge of Resources

Suggest Best Resources To Suit Each Individual User’s Needs

Save the User Time By Suggesting Additional Outside Resources

Save the Organization Money By Eliminating Duplication In Searching (Don’t re-invent the wheel!)

Provide Suggestions Regarding Internal Documents and Their Organization

Knowledge of Resources

Provide Long-term Resource Plans To the Organization

Offer Suggestions About Managing Print Collections During Movement Toward Electronic Resources

Library Associations Benefit Everyone Offer Best Practices Work Of Other

Libraries and Librarians Provide Continuing Education and

Training Opportunities For Librarians Offer Opportunities To Draw On the

Collective Knowledge and Wisdom Of Their Peers When They Have a Major Project (moving, digitization, etc.)

Knowledge of Intellectual Property Offer Employers Advice On E-book

Controversies and Usage Issues Offer Valuable Information On IP In MLS

Programs Provide General Guidance To

Organizations About Distribution Of Materials Inside and Outside Organization With Regard To Contracts

Paint A Picture Or Tell a Story

“Return on Investment involves more than just providing a number; it requires putting together a qualitative and quantitative story from users and painting an overall value picture for executives.”

“Providing Value and Return on Investment” Information Outlook, June 2010