Library Assessment in Higher Education

In his latest edition on assessment in academic libraries, Matthews (JRM consulting; Reflecting on the Future) lays out the groundwork for effective assessment in higher education. Using concrete examples and models from pioneering libraries in the field, Matthews gets to the heart of the subject. Each chapter focuses not only on what libraries need to do but also how the library's goals can have a wider impact on the university as a whole. What is the mission of the institution? What is its vision? What are the performance indicators for institutional effectiveness? How can the library aid in student recruitment and retention? How do we improve patrons' interpersonal lives? These are just a few of the questions Matthews asks and answers. In order for libraries to build successfully a culture of assessment, attention must be paid and purposes must be aligned with the university's goals.