Topic 5: Who Can You Ask?

Most of the information presented so far has been based on conducting a general community needs assessment. For our purposes we are trying to better serve a specific population of patrons. In order to find specific needs of people with autism in your community, it is vital to ask those from the target population, including children and adults with autism, as well as their families. The following information from the Idaho Commission for Libraries (2017) gives examples of data collection methods that help you identify community goals, beliefs, needs, and other general input:

• Surveys: mail, telephone, e-mail
• SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) More information to follow.
• Key informants (people familiar with the community)
• Community forum/Focus group
• Citizen advisory groups
• Town meeting

In any situation in which information is being collected from a human subject, the person or group must voluntarily participate. This is referred to as "human subjects protection" (Small and Mardis, 2018). This written plan ensures the rights of all people involved have been protected throughout the research process. Most libraries have an institutional review board and formal application process to carry out data collection. This plan not only protects the rights of individuals but creates a trust between the researcher and participant. Examples include: "(1) using coding or pseudonyms for all data from minor participants, (2) providing evidence that the researchers are fully qualified to competently and ethically conduct the research, and (3) using noncoercive ways to recruit participants for a study" (Small and Mardis, 2018).

After the data are collected, they must be analyzed. Identify common ideas, thoughts, or problems that arise throughout the data. Ask questions based on your findings and review as a group. The entire library staff needs to be on board with the process in order to make significant change. This may result in the change of the library's mission and/or vision statement in order to reflect the library's new direction, if it is, in fact, significant. If considering a change in the library's mission and/or vision, the Board of Directors will need to be involved. The Board will definitely need to be consulted if changes to the bylaws or articles of the organization are required.

References

Idaho Commission for Libraries. (2017). Needs assessment. Retrieved from

http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/needs-assessment.

Small, R.V. and Mardis, M.A. (Eds). (2017). Research Methods for Librarians and

Educators: Practical Applications in Formal and Informal Learning Environments. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited.