Measuring Reference Transactions in School Library Media Programs

Many output measures for use in evaluating school library media program outcomes are already in place. HOwever, the use and reliability of other potential measures has not yet been demonstrated. Measuring the results of reference services is among the areas which still require methodology development, adaptation, and validation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential use of reference transaction measures (Transaction Analysis, Reference Completion Rate, and Transactions Per Student) in school library media programs. Participating in this study were library media specialists from secondary schools (middle and high) in selected central North Carolina public school districts. Results of the Reference Transaction Module demonstrated that it can help library media programs identify, quantify, analyze, and compare the results of reference services in their school library media program. The process as tested will add to individual school library media specialist's knowledge of their program.