Time is running out on this great opportunity! Wisconsin libraries of all sizes have done the Edge Assessment, and you still can for free until end of December, 2014.
The DPI strongly encourages libraries to participate in the Edge assessment, which is still available for libraries to use for free until the end of the 2014 calendar year. Edge is an assessment tool that scores libraries based on national benchmarks on public access technology. The library can see what areas it excels in and what areas need more resources. Maintaining and updating technology in libraries is key to providing the community excellent service; the information gathered using Edge will help the library prioritize what areas of public access technology to focus on.
The Edge assessment consists of 11 benchmarks in 3 key areas:
- Community Value
- Digital literacy
- Digital tools and resources
- Meeting key community needs
- Engaging the Community
- Strategy and evaluation
- Strategic Partnerships
- Sharing best practices
- Organizational Management
- Planning and policies
- Staff expertise
- Devices and bandwidth
- Technology and management
- Technology inclusiveness
Time to complete: 2-4 hours. The assessment does not need to be completed in one sitting. Those that completed the assessment suggest that piecing out the assessment and having other staff members gather the data makes it go much faster.
Examples of areas of need:
- no accessibility goals for website in strategic plan
- average wait time on computers is not tracked
- lack of patron privacy
Examples of how to use the results:
- redoing their strategic plans
- planning and changing the library’s budget expenditure
- help with staffing.
Edge is a great resource that is currently available to libraries for free until December 31, 2014. Upon completing the survey, libraries can download the assessment workbook results and plan for the future. Edge also provides templates to help market the needs or promote areas the library is excelling to the library stakeholders, as well as online resources and webinars that helps the library improve specific areas based on their assessment.
Registration: http://www.libraryedge.org/library/register
Assessment Workbook: http://www.libraryedge.org/sites/default/files/Edge_Assessment_Workbook.pdf
Getting Started With Edge Webinar: http://www.libraryedge.org/Getting_Started/index.htm
If you have any questions at all, please contact Ryan Claringbole at ryan.claringbole@dpi.wi.gov or at (608) 266-9534
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