Understanding Digital Library/Museum Evaluation

Digital Museum Program launched by National Science Council (NSC) has completed its first phase auditing at the end of 1999. The evaluation programs for DL/M at the different levels for the various purposes are highly recommended. The typical spots for DL/M evaluation include system analysis phase, prototype stage (formative evaluation), performance evaluation (summative evaluation), and for the resources management purposes -- cost-effectiveness evaluation. This paper discusses the important functions of evaluation at the different stages of system design, reviews the major DL/M evaluation projects, delineates the critical issues of DL/M evaluation program. And finally, a theoretical framework for DL/M evaluation program is suggested.