Program Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Introduction
Monitoring and evaluation don’t have to be complicated to be effective. At their core, they answer two simple questions: Are we doing what we planned to do? And is it making a difference?
Monitoring focuses on tracking activities. This includes things like how many programs were delivered, how many people attended, and what services were provided. Evaluation goes a step further by looking at outcomes—what changed as a result of those activities.
For libraries, a simple approach is often the most sustainable. Instead of trying to measure everything, focus on a few meaningful indicators. For example, you might track whether participants report increased confidence in finding health information, or whether they were able to complete a specific task, like enrolling in a program or scheduling a service.
Collecting feedback doesn’t need to be time-consuming. Short surveys, informal conversations, or even quick check-in questions can provide valuable insights. The key is to use this information—not just collect it.
When you understand what’s working and what isn’t, you can adjust your approach, improve your programs, and demonstrate the value of your work. Monitoring and evaluation are not just reporting tools—they are tools for learning and improvement.
Core Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Gold standard but adaptable for libraries
World Health Organization — Evaluation basics: Practical frameworks for measuring impact
Library Health Program Evaluation Toolkit: Designed specifically for libraries, with practical templates and simplified approaches to tracking outcomes and using data for improvement
Libraries × Public Health Collaboration Starter Kit: Includes guidance on integrating evaluation into program planning from the start, not as an afterthought
Keep it simple
Track:
Participation (who showed up)
Engagement (what they did)
Outcome (what changed)
Use simple tools, like those included in the Library Health Program Evaluation Toolkit, to define a small set of meaningful indicators and create a basic feedback loop.