OPLA Research and Evaluation Committee
Mandate
The OPLA Research & Evaluation Committee reports to the OPLA Council and is responsible for collaborating with OPLA Council to develop a research and evaluation strategy that identifies and supports best practices for assessing the value of Ontario public libraries.
Responsibilities/Objectives
The committee’s work will contribute to OLA’s 2017-20 strategic priority of “building evaluation and research capacity” in the Ontario public library sector by conducting applied research and by supporting professional development for research and program evaluation. The OPLA Research & Evaluation Committee will:
- Advise OPLA Council on the research priorities for OPLA, taking into consideration current trends in public libraries, existing research in the sector and other organizations such as the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL), the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS), and the Canadian Urban Libraries Council (CULC), etc.
- Manage the survey process for OPLA, conducting at least one survey of Ontario Public Libraries per year. Committee responsibilities include: identifying research questions, development of data collection tools, data analysis, report preparation, dissemination and data management according to FAIR principles
- Assist in building public library sector capacity for applied research and evaluation skills by developing training in multiple formats.
Committee Membership
Marni Tam, Toronto Public Library (Chair)
Sarah Roberts, Vaughan Public Libraries
Alison Clarke, Brampton Public Library
Erika Heeson, Perth Union Public Library
Shaun McDonough, Markham Public Library
Dakota Smith, London Public Library
Tirthesh Jani, Barrie Public Library
Brandon Fratarcangeli, Ontario Library Service (OLS)
and
Ex-Officio Member – Lily Kwok, Ontario Library Association
Learn more
Read the Committee’s Terms of Reference. For more information contact Lily Kwok.
