IMPACT COMPASS MODEL
Measurements related to satisfaction, experience, evaluation, user profiles, etc., are extremely valuable and important for the functioning of the library. However, demonstrating the true significance of a library goes beyond assessing these aspects.
The library plays a social role and supports the development and well-being of its visitors and the wider community. This study uses a Danish-British model to measure the impact of libraries on their users.
The model is based on The Cultural Value Project (“Understanding the Value of Arts and Culture”), a major UK research initiative launched in 2019 by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. This study explored how culture can be translated into impact and value, and how the tangible effects and value of cultural institutions can be measured using empirical and analytical methods. The model was further developed in Roskilde, Denmark, specifically for the library context.
You can find more details about the model here.
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This model was specifically developed for use in quantitative studies, as research questions of this kind are otherwise typically explored through qualitative studies, which can usually only be conducted on a smaller scale.
The Impact Model measures the library’s influence across four dimensions:
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Safe Space ("Safe haven")
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Perspective
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Creativity
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Community
NET PROMOTER SCORE
We ask library visitors whether they would recommend the library to their relatives, friends, or colleagues.
They are invited to give a rating on a scale from 1 (not at all likely to recommend) to 10 (very likely to recommend). This type of question is commonly used in studies to calculate the Net Promoter Score (NPS), which measures customer satisfaction.
Based on their rating, respondents are classified as:
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Promoters (enthusiastic visitors who are likely to encourage others to visit the library),
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Neutrals, or
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Detractors (those who would not recommend the library to friends or family).
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