A project, an odyssey, and an intriguing challenge for libraries
Stemming from the question, “How can we better assess outreach efforts?” a partnership with the Library Research Service (LRS) office of the Colorado State Library and High Plains Library District (HPLD) was formed. This partnership resulted in a multi-year project to assess the effectiveness of HPLD’s outreach efforts in relation to immigrant and refugee community members.
Measuring immigrants’ and refugees’ sense of belonging was initially identified as a way to assess whether HPLD’s outreach efforts, focused on integrating staff in areas where community members gather, are having the intended impact of building community and increasing the target population’s sense of ownership of the library. Interviews were conducted with 38 newcomers to the Greeley-Evans area, and qualitative methods were used to analyze the anonymized interview transcripts. Limited quantitative analysis was also incorporated. This report shares our findings and the lessons we learned throughout the process to guide future related research at other library systems.
Access the full report here.