The four steps to the needs assessment process require that you determine who will conduct the study, what kind of information needs to be collected, how the information will be collected, and how the information will be used. The first step in performing a needs assessment is to decide who will conduct the study. A needs assessment study can be carried out by outside consultants, library volunteers, or library staff. Your available resources, time frame, and comfort level with performing research may influence your decision. There are advantages and disadvantages that must be evaluated and these are reviewed in this section.
Outside consultants have expertise in how to conduct research studies.
They provide objectivity in the needs assessment process by offering an outsider's view. Since consultants are experienced at performing research, this option makes better use of your limited time. Consultants are your most expensive option. Volunteers from the community are another possibility. In addition, it may be difficult to find volunteers who are willing to devote their time to this process and who have experience in performing research.