How do you measure the success and impact of a core facility?

What makes a successful core facility? While many metrics are suggested and requested to evaluate the success and impact of a core, a comprehensive understanding of the priority of the institution and core and how each metric fits into the overall strategy for the core facility is critical before determining research value or success in specific instances. A description of some different metrics commonly used to evaluate cores is presented in addition to the variable impact or interpretation of the metric in the case of different core facility structures. For example, in the case of a research - focused institution or core facility, the number and type of publications contributed to may be highly valued. Contrastingly, publications may be of less evaluative value in the case of a teaching or discovery - prioritized institution. Overall, we suggest a balanced view of core evaluation that presents each indicator in the specific context of the institution and specific core and technology.