Management Information Systems Office:
Responsibility In The Assessment Process At The University of Maryland Libraries
The Management Information Systems (MIS) Office is responsible for developing an information system that tracks and maintains in a central location statistical and other pertinent information about the University Libraries. The MIS Office is also responsible for developing, coordinating and/or consulting on all assessments of the Libraries by staff. The MIS Office works with the Library Assessment Review Committee to define assessment needs, determine applicable measurement processes and tools and recommend an assessment program for the Libraries.
The MIS office will be involved in the stewardship of library statistics and assessment projects from initial idea to data analysis and reporting. The MIS Office will maintain an inventory of survey and other assessment tools completed. The Office will maintain the raw data, analysis of results and confidentiality as required.
Library Surveys and ARL SPEC Kits: The MIS Office will respond to all requests for data from the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Center for Education Statistics' Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), UM, USM and others. The Office will work with the appropriate staff to respond to ARL SPEC (Systems and Procedures Exchange Center) Kits and other requests, which also require procedural information. Copies of any survey responses completed by other than MIS staff must be sent to the Office of the Dean and the MIS office.
Assessment Identification: Once a library division identifies a need to assess library programs, services, functions, processes, customers, etc., and the Director agrees that assessment should be considered, the MIS office should be consulted.The MIS Office in conjunction with LARC will discuss the proposed assessment with the staff and assist in clarifying the purpose, suggest the appropriate assessment tool, provide examples of surveys already developed, assist in the final design and provide suggestions for data analysis.
In the event that the tool chosen is a survey that will involve faculty and or students, it may be necessary to apply for approval or for an exemption from the Institutional Review Board, Human Subjects Committee (IRB/HSC). The MIS Office will work with the staff identified as principal investigators for the survey to obtain the necessary approval or exemption. A copy of the request and its disposition must be sent to the MIS Office. Copies of and the results of all library assessments must be sent to the MIS office.
The UM Libraries' MIS Office is available to consult with staff on any level of assessment development by library divisions, departments and branches.
ADMINISTRATIVE MEMO # 39
Effective date: June 6, 2000
Supercedes - none
Suggested revisions to any Administrative Memo should be addressed to the
Director
of Planning and Administrative Services.
