Evaluation of a library outreach program to research labs

Area of Science:

• Library and Information Science
• Health Sciences Information Management
• Research Support Services

Background:

• Academic and research libraries increasingly offer innovative outreach services.
• The National Cancer Institute-Frederick (NCI-F) Scientific Library implemented a Laptop Librarian service to improve accessibility.
• Evaluating the impact of such services is crucial for optimizing resource allocation and user support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an outcomes-based evaluation of the NCI-F Scientific Library's Laptop Librarian service.
• To assess the service's effectiveness in increasing librarian accessibility and saving patron time.
• To gauge user satisfaction and information acquisition through the service.

Main Methods:

• Utilized statistics from Laptop Librarian sessions.
• Administered a NCI-F community-wide online survey.
• Conducted in-person interviews with service users.

Main Results:

• The Laptop Librarian service significantly increased the accessibility of librarians.
• Patrons reported substantial time savings due to the service.
• Users acquired useful information and expressed high overall satisfaction.
• The service proved effective in a government research facility setting.

Conclusions:

• The Laptop Librarian service is a valuable model for enhancing library outreach and support.
• Proactive librarian engagement improves information access and user experience in research environments.
• This service effectively bridges the gap between librarians and researchers, facilitating information discovery.