Chapter 8: Using Focus Groups for Library Assessment: Insights from Three Projects

The University Library supports the institution’s mission to promote student and faculty success through ongoing efforts to improve its services and resources based on user needs. As part of this work, the Assessment Department leads evidence-based initiatives that inform strategic decisions, and I oversee the Library’s assessment activities to ensure they align with institutional goals and respond to the evolving needs of our academic community. This book chapter focuses on one of the methods used in the past – the focus group – across three projects I was involved in, all of which aimed to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Library community: Project A identified patrons’ preferences for health and safety in reopening the University Libraries; Project B explored students’ insights into the transition to online learning and campus programming; and Project C examined the challenges faced by frontline library staff using a mixed-methods approach. This chapter outlines the rationale for choosing focus groups, recruitment strategies, how the data were utilized in each project, and considerations for conducting focus groups. It offers practical guidance for assessment professionals considering using focus groups or seeking to enhance their current practices.