Impact measures for libraries and information services

摘要

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the importance of impact/outcome research in libraries. Design/methodology/approach – The paper gives an overview of purposes and methods used in impact research and illustrates this through project experiences. Findings – Various projects worldwide are trying to prove that use of library services can positively influence skills and competences, attitudes and behaviour of users. The benefits that users experience by using library services can be assessed in terms of knowledge gained, higher information literacy, higher academic or professional success, social inclusion, and increase in individual well-being.