Welcome to the Evidence Based Toolkit for Public Libraries!

Evidence-Based Librarianship, or EBL, is a way of practicing librarianship. It is combines a conceptual framework with practical tools that enables librarians to do their jobs more effectively and in a more informed fashion. There are always decisions to be made in a public library setting: policy decisions, fiscal decisions, programming, service, and staffing decisions. Often, decision making is based on anecdotal evidence, past practice, and even best guess. EBL is a way of systematizing the process in order to achieve more reliable results.

Step 1: Formulate a Question

Step 2: Find the Evidence

Step 3: Appraise the Evidence

Step 4: Apply the Evidence

Step 5: Evaluate the Results

Unofficial Step 6: Disseminate Research

EBL Glossary

Bibliography

Call-ACBC Conference Documents

This toolkit was created by Virginia Wilson, University of Saskatchewan Library, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, and Stephanie Hall, Powell River Public Library, Powell River, BC, Canada.

Any questions or comments may be directed to virginia(dot)wilson(at)usask(dot)ca