More often than not, assessment techniques are learned on the job rather than taught in a MLIS degree program. While some are easy to learn without formal training, focus groups can be especially challenging to both facilitator and participants. Given the time and workload that can go into the preparation and execution of a focus group, it is imperative that the feedback and data gathered be valuable, with practical applications for improvement. A well-run focus group can help you gather valuable information from your users, but a poorly-run focus group is likely to misconstrue your assessment efforts.
Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, and Futures, will present the webinar “Finding Focus: Library Assessment Focus Groups,” on Tuesday, December 1, from 1:00 – 2:00 pm, Central Time.
This webinar will go over all aspects of using focus groups in library assessment including when to use focus groups, best practices, potential roadblocks and how to overcome them, and our own personal experiences (both good and bad) using focus groups for library assessment. Helpful examples, scenarios, and other guiding documents will be provided to all attendees.
At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize best practices of focus groups and apply them to their own library assessment efforts
- Conduct successful focus groups using the resources and materials provided in the webinar
Who should attend:
This webinar is geared towards anyone who has any assessment-related responsibilities in their job and wants to learn about the best practices for conducting focus groups.
Our presenters:
Kristina Clement is the Student Success Librarian at the University of Wyoming. She received her MSIS from the University of Tennessee and was a member of the inaugural IMLS Experience-Assessment cohort where she first developed her love of library assessment. Her research interests include all things library assessment, Universal Design for Learning in information literacy instruction, and outreach to underserved populations.
Manda Sexton is the Assessment and User Experience Librarian for Kennesaw State University. She specializes in strategic tracking, adult learning, and alleviating library anxiety. A strong believer in the power of a good story, Manda regularly creates tools of expressing library assessment and value to its users with multiple audiences in mind. Manda enjoys a good romance novel as well as a good streaming binge and can often be found outside getting lost in the woods.
Lauren Johnson is the User Experience Librarian at Nevada State College. Since coming to NSC in 2019, she’s used UX research to design a new library website, streamline the library’s knowledge management process, and create a campus usability testing service for online learning. On weekends, you can find her roaming one of the many national parks around Las Vegas or adventuring indoors playing tabletop RPGs
Registration:
Core Member $43
Nonmember $59
Groups $129 (Includes a link to share with others in your institution for safe distance viewing)
ALA Student Members: $0
Can’t attend the live event? No problem! All registrants will receive a link to the recorded session for later viewing at their convenience.
How to Register:
Online: Complete the individual webinar online registration form. Sessions are listed by date, and you must log in.
By phone: 1-800-545-2433 (press 1 to reach our customer service representatives)
By mail: Click Register by mail for the session you would like to attend. (If you receive an error message after clicking the “register by mail” link, right-click the link and save the form to your computer.)
Core Code of Conduct: Please review the Statement of Conduct before registering.
Tech Requirements: A computer with Internet access and media player software is required. A high-speed connection and headphones are recommended. Core webinars are hosted through GoToWebinar. Check to see if your system supports GoToWebinar. Test your connection or audio.
For questions about registration: contact ALA Registration at 1-800-545-2433 and press 1 or email [email protected].
For all other webinar questions or comments, please contact [email protected].
ALA and Core are committed to supporting our members, staff, and all librarians and library workers during these uncertain times. We will continue to offer online learning opportunities and will do our best to accommodate the remote needs of our attendees. We will also continue to offer group registration, providing individual logins for each group member registered for Core webinars. Please contact Core with any questions or concerns.
