Relatively diminishing financial resources and increasing user expectations are combining to create a new emphasis for the traditional research library. This paper reports on the development of a pilot project at a large research library that explored the relationship between evaluation and assessment to determine how both the institution and the user can benefit. Following a background of needs of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, the survey methodology for determining user needs is outlined. The survey was divided into three distinct areas. In the first part of the survey, users were asked to identify their relationship with the library. The second part contained assessment questions which attempted to ascertain users' information literacy and general search skills. Finally, questions specific to the University's system were asked. The results of the Task Force on the Future of the Library and a changed university budgetary process brought about the recommendation to develop/fund a Instruction Coordinator position and include support staff with a real budget for the implementation of a library-wide program. (AEF)