Chapter 10. Follow Up Report And Evaluation 

Almost, but not quite.

From the history of time, the MBLC has asked for a "final final" report in April, six months after your project ended.

This year, in response to subgrantees' input and a modified IMLS reporting system, we are not asking for a formal report for your "final final." (Now's the time to yell "hooray!")

You may be finished with the grant year but the project should be ongoing and its impact should still be important.

It's not always fair to evaluate a project immediately upon its completion, since many of the materials and even some of the programs have not had a chance to really have impact in the often short time they've been available. Experience has shown that many components of a project are not fully in place and usable until relatively late in the project year. We realize that the outcomes you reported in October may have been immediate, rather than long term, and that you may know more about the impact of your project later.

In lieu of this formal report, we are asking that you send us an e-mail message by April 1, 2007 (April 1, 2008 for two year projects). Comment on the current state of the project and how it has been integrated into the library's overall plan of service. Tell us if there have been any additional outcomes, expected or unexpected. Anecdotes are welcome, too. And now is your chance to let us know how you feel about the project in hindsight. What went right? What went wrong? What would you do if you could do it over again? Did you underestimate or overestimate the amount of time it took to do the project? The amount of money needed? This is your chance to have the last word!