Five Steps of Outcome-Based Planning &
Evaluation for Public Libraries offers librarians a solid approach to begin
conducting such assessment and to deliver valuable programming. In six short chapters the authors describe the five steps of the outcome-based planning and evaluation model. The steps include: gathering information, determining
outcomes, designing and evaluating programs and services, and sharing the results. Particularly helpful are the appendices which include suggestions on how to conduct an environmental scan, assessing
community needs, sample questions to ask during field research, and examples of questions that can be used in
interviews and focus groups. Overall, this is a good introduction to outcome-based
planning and evaluation. Although intended for public librarians, it would be useful for librarians in any type of
library.
Melissa Gross, Cindy Mediavilla, and Virginia A. Walter. Five Steps of Outcome-Based Planning & Evaluation for Public
Libraries. ALA Editions, 2016, 102 pp., ISBN 9780838914045.
