A Program Evaluation of the Community Workshop Series Classes at the Durham Public Library

by Higginbotham, Brian P

This study describes the evaluations and interviews conducted with participants in the Community Workshop Series program at the Durham Public Library during the calendar year 2007. The Community Workshop Series is a set of free computer classes offered by the UNC-Chapel Hill University Libraries to local public libraries in the Chapel Hill/Durham area. The study aims to assess the Workshop Series classes in terms of participant satisfaction, effectiveness, and future planning.

The Community Workshop Series classes prove to be well received and popular among the Durham Public Library patrons. Many participants express an eagerness for more computer classes to be offered through the library and for an increase in the frequency at which they are available. Most participants feel they are learning valuable skills through the classes. Libraries may consider the results as they assess their own goals for similar programs.