SPEC Kit 317: Special Collections Engagement · 35
Survey (both print and online).
The Russell Library, one of the special collections departments, uses paper and electronic evaluation survey instruments
for some of its larger exhibits and it also has a feedback area in its gallery that allows visitors to post comments/
reflections on the content of the exhibit.
The Libraries has an assessment team and a committee to oversee general library exhibits, but we do not really do any
formal assessment of exhibits.
There has been no formal assessment.
There is a comment book in the main Andersen Library gallery.
To my knowledge, no attempt has been made to measure “success” or evaluate effectiveness of communication
methods. We receive occasional feedback in the form of comments, far more positive than negative, but still
“anecdotal” at best.
We are deficient in this area. We usually gauge success based on press or community feedback, the latter mainly
anecdotal.
We evaluate exhibitions principally on the basis of attendance and feedback that we receive from viewers.
We have an elective paper survey that visitors can fill out in the exhibition gallery. We also collect anecdotal feedback
and comments in a visitors book.
We have had visitor surveys on several exhibitions.
We have not done any formal measures our sense of success has been based on the number of people seen viewing
exhibits, number of inquiries received about them, people coming in to ask about items in the exhibit or related
materials.
We have not used any particular measures to evaluate the success of exhibits.
We have only anecdotal evidence. No measures in place.
We have struggled over the years to address this issue and tried surveys (written, in-person) tracking use of collections
showcased in exhibits. Recently, we rely on impressionistic comments in the guest books located at each exhibit site.
We just inaugurated our space in April of 2008 and we have been tackling issues arising from the renovations since, so
have not done any evaluations yet.
We keep count of the number of patrons who visit special collections only to view the exhibit and do not register as
readers.
7. Has this evaluation led to any changes in how special collections uses exhibits to engage the
university community? N=59
Yes 22 37%
No 37 63%
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