RESOURCE CENTRE MANUAL
HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE
3. What do users save by using the resource centre?
How much time, money and effort would users have to spend to obtain
information, if the resource centre did not exist? For example, they might have
to travel further, or they might have to visit several different resource centres.
If they could not obtain the information they need from elsewhere, this would
mean that the resource centre was providing a unique service. Even if the
resource centre was not very efficient, being unique could be a key strength.
This information can be obtained through focus group discussions and
questionnaires, and through knowledge of what other information services
exist, what subject areas they cover and what services they provide (see
Section 1.4.2).
4. Are enough people being reached?
How clearly defined is the resource centre’s target audience, and are enough of
them being reached? For everyone who comes to the resource centre, there are
sure to be many others who do not know that they need information or do
not know where to find it. Is the resource centre publicised in places where
potential users go, such as training institutions, religious centres or community
groups? Is it possible to identify sections of the community who need the
services but are not using them?
To answer these questions properly, it is necessary to know the size of the
target audience, such as the number of health workers or trainers in the area
covered by the resource centre. It is also important to look at efforts to
promote the resource centre to members of the target audience who were not
previously using it, to see how well the promotional activities have worked.
This information can be obtained from the records of visitors using the
resource centre, enquiry services, and number of users before and after
promotional activities. It can also be obtained from the opinions and ideas of
users for whom promotional activities are targeted, including those that have
not used the resource centre.
5. Does the resource centre meet the needs of funding organisations?
This information can be obtained by checking funding organisations’ goals
and criteria for supporting the resource centre, and comparing these with the
results of monitoring and evaluation.
6. How good are the materials?
How often are the materials used? Are there many materials that are rarely
used? Are some subject areas more popular because they are more up-to-date?
Are both resource centre staff and users clear about the subject areas covered
by the resource centre? Have all the subjects or material formats requested in
the needs assessment been regularly used? If they are not, does the collection
policy need to be changed, do materials need updating, or is more promotion
required?
10 SECTION 9: MONITORING AND EVALUATION