Program Evaluation and Archives: "Appraising" Archival Work and Achievements

The purpose of this article is to illustrate the potential of program evaluation for archives and to lay the foundation for the development of a research initiative on this subject. It explores two basic questions: “What is program evaluation?” and "Is the concept applicable to archives?” Based on an extensive review of the literature, it demonstrates that in archives, as elsewhere, program evaluation has to rely on a judicious mix of approaches. It also offers considerations on criteria, measurements and indicators for archival activities, products, and services. This paper concludes that archivists would find it strategically opportune to develop their knowledge and expertise on program evaluation and to explore further the theory and the potential applications of program evaluation methodologies. It suggests the development of a research initiative on program evaluation applicable to archives.