CSUN WordmarkOviatt Library

Library Assessment

 

Overview | Information Competence Outcomes | Objectives for Library Collections | Objectives for Library Services | Assessment Reports and Publications | Annual Reports to Campus | Library Assessment Plan

Overview

In support of the Oviatt Library's Educational Mission, the Library is an active participant in Academic Assessment at CSUN. Furthermore, Information Competence has been identified as one of the Intellectual and Practical Skills that are part of the University's Fundamental Learning Competencies, and is also a General Education requirement. Therefore, in recognition of the Library's unique role as both a provider of information resources and services, as well a provider of instruction, the library faculty identified three areas for outcomes assessment: Information Competence Outcomes, Objectives for Library Collections, and Objectives for Library Services.

Student Information Competence Outcomes

The following skills are based on the Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education (Association of College and Research Libraries, 2000), which are the basis of our Information Competence Program and Reference and Instructional Services:

Students will be able to:

  1. Determine the nature and extent of the information needed, for example:
  2. Access needed information effectively and efficiently, for example:
  3. Evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.
  4. Individually or as a member of a group, use information effectively to accomplish a specific purpose, for example:
  5. Demonstrate understanding of the many economic, legal, and social issues surrounding the use of information, and access and use information ethically and legally, for example:

Objectives for Library Collections

The Oviatt Library . . .

  1. Collects and provides access to a variety of primary and secondary print, manuscript, media, and electronic resources to support the curricular information needs of students and faculty.
  2. Collects and provides access to a variety of primary and secondary print, manuscript, media, and electronic resources to support the research needs of students and faculty.
  3. Actively engages in outreach to collaborate with faculty on the development of library collections to support curricular and research needs.

Objectives for Library Services

The Oviatt Library . . .

  1. Provides courteous, capable, and responsive service that demonstrates professionalism and pride in our work.
  2. Creates a physical environment conducive to study and research.
  3. Provides open hours that takes into consideration both the schedules of our students and faculty and the realities of budgetary constraints.
  4. Provides skillful and engaging individualized point-of-use instruction, both in-person and virtual, that helps students develop their information competence skills.
  5. Actively engages in outreach to collaborate with faculty to develop assignments and instructional experiences that develop students' information competence skills.
  6. Provides skillful and engaging classroom instruction, which helps students develop their information competence skills.
  7. Facilitates searches for needed information by maintaining the efficient organization of and timely access to the Library's print and manuscript collections, including course reserves.
  8. Facilitates searches for needed information by maintaining the efficient organization of and timely access to electronic resources via its Web pages, including course reserves.
  9. Facilitates use of audio/video resources by maintaining the efficient organization of and timely access to media resources, including collections, equipment, and the University Video Network.
  10. Facilitates effective use of information by providing equipment (i.e., computers, printers, copiers, etc) and software to extract needed information from either online or print formats.
  11. Provides timely access to resources of other libraries via inter-library loan and/or document delivery, as appropriate, to supplement Library collections.

Assessment Reports and Publications

Information Competence | Library Collections | Library Services

Information Competence Assessment Reports

Library Collections Assessment Reports

Library Services Assessment Reports

Annual Reports to Campus Assessment Coordinator

Library Assessment Plan

Using guidelines provided by the CSUN Office of Academic Assessment, the following documents outline the Library's assessment program: