Evaluation
Evaluation is the key to getting (and keeping!) your funding. Patrons, library boards and grant evaluators want to know how popular game programs are and how powerful the community impact will be. Keep track of your stats!
- Do a survey! Ask questions related to available titles, the gaming experience, improvements that can be made and aspects of the programs that were most appreciated. You can make quick and easy surveys with SurveyMonkey.
- Interview the attendees. Those personal stories are just as important as all the head counts.
- Still, do not forget to count heads. A formal count of attendees for programming statistics and future reference is a must for any program evaluation.
- Some games need to have a certain number of players. Pre-registration is important for gaming events. It can help keep track of that statistical data you will need to evaluate your program and will insure that you have enough patrons to play!
- If grant money or a donation sponsored the event, be sure to take pictures to send to the donor!
ALA has provided a quick checklist to help evaluate/assess a library program or service. If the checklist does not help, there is a multitude of online resources available. Several of the 'best practice' librarians are willing to advise and assist other librarians implementing their programs.
The University of Dubuque has kindly posted an example of their Evaluation form that demonstrates a possible post-program survey.
The University of Dubuque has kindly posted an example of their Evaluation form that demonstrates a possible post-program survey.
