Measurement, Evaluation and Assessment Committee

Charge and Work

Review, analyze, and recommend measures, techniques, and data-related activities that will help strengthen and advance the public library field in providing services and programs to its patrons as well as communicating the value of libraries to internal and external audiences. Identify new data trends and determine their applicability to in articulating the value of public libraries. The committee will also be responsible for reviewing existing PLA data products and services, including PLDS/PLAMetrics, and recommending updates, revisions, etc.

Deliverables and outcomes:

  • Review data and usage statistics of existing PLA data products and services, including the annual topical surveys, Benchmark, and Project Outcome
  • Research and identify data trends and determine their applicability to advocating public library value
  • Increase the number of public libraries participating in the annual surveys by recommending changes and making improvements to the overall process
  • Increase the number of libraries measuring outcomes by determining changes or additions to the Project Outcome website or the standardized outcome measures
  • Increase PLA’s ability to support public libraries in collecting, analyzing and using data to increase their impact by making recommendations for product improvements, programming, and professional development
  • Support collaboration between PLA and key stakeholders in public library measurement and evaluation, including but not limited to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA)

Expected time commitment:

  • Attend ALA Annual Conference for an in-person committee meeting (4-8 hours/year plus travel time)
  • Attend virtual meetings for full-committee and sub-committees (10-12 hours/year)
  • Review and respond to emails and ALA Connect messages (10-12 hours/year)

Desired skills, knowledge, or experience:

  • Experience collecting, analyzing and working with different kinds of library data
  • Familiarity with research and evaluation methods
  • Familiarity with PLA data products and services, including Benchmark and Project Outcome
  • Skills interpreting and using data for decision making and advocacy
  • Ability to represent the public library field and advocate for their data needs
  • Bilingual language skills or experience working directly with ESL or low-literacy populations

Roster

Daniel Hensley (Co-Chair, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)
Jerianne Thompson (Co-Chair, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)
Brett Bonfield (Member, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)
David L. Cooksey (Member, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)
Laurie A. Covington (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Ms. Denise Marie Davis (Member, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)
Renee Di Pilato (Member, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)
Mrs. Heidi Fendrick (Member, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)
Carissa Hansen (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Kathleen Kerr Houlihan (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Theresa A. Jehlik (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Dr. Jasmina Jusic (Member, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)
Karen Mellor (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Tracey Thompson (Member, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Ms. Jasmine K. Wilkins (Member, July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024)
Ms. Marisa Pelczar (Advisor, July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023)
Sara Goek (Staff Liaison, September 1, 2020, to June 30, 2024)
Katina Jones (Staff Liaison, May 23, 2022, to June 30, 2024)

Displaying active committee roster as of 03/29/2023. Last retrieved on 03/29/2023. Members can log in and refresh the page to view full contact information for committee members.

Composition

Consists of a minimum of 10 members and up to 15 members appointed by the PLA Board President and led by a chair.

Origin

Created by action of the PLA Board of Directors June 2017, to serve the evolving data needs of the profession. Supersedes both the Performance Measurement Task Force (PMTF) and the Public Library Data Service (PLDS) Statistical Report Advisory Committee.

Get Involved

To be a thriving, vibrant organization, PLA must have committed and active committee members. If you are interested in serving on a committee, please read and fill out the online volunteer form.

  • Volunteers are accepted on an ongoing basis.
  • Appointments are made by the PLA President and President-Elect, primarily in the spring.
  • Volunteers must be members of ALA and PLA.

Join the PLA Data and Measurement Interest Group on ALA Connect to stay up-to-date on these topics and connect with peers on similar issues. PLA personal membership is required to join.

Staff Liaison

Sara Goek
Project Manager, Data and Research
312-280-5841
sgoek@ala.org