Measuring library performance : principles and techniques / Peter Brophy.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Brophy, Peter, 1950- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Public services (Libraries)--Evaluation.

Public services (Libraries).

Libraries--Evaluation.

Libraries.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxiii, 242 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Place of Publication:

London : Facet, 2006.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Measuring the performance of a library's services is a crucial part of good library management, since without a firm grasp of what is actually being achieved it is impossible to move forward to improved service. The key measure is no longer size and quality of bookstock, but the impact of staff effort and resources on the population the library is intended to serve. Analysing this enables evidence of benefits to be presented, providing the ultimate justification for the service's existence. This important book is the first to provide an accessible account of current thinking and research on the evaluation of library services, both traditional and - importantly - electronic. Illustrated throughout with a range of internationally based examples across the different library sectors, it is structured to focus primarily on the intended service user (outcome and impact perspectives), then to look at service management (output and process issues) and the building blocks of services (inputs), and finally to draw together these strands by examining some of the broader frameworks for evaluation that have emerged. Each chapter features a list of key resources, and the extensive appendices offer practical guidance on data collection methods, the analysis of data and the presentation of results. The key areas addressed include: background and theoretical considerations; user satisfaction and impact on users; social and economic impact; inputs, processes and outputs; staff and infrastructure; services for all; and, standards, benchmarking and the balanced scorecard. The emphasis on both principles and techniques in this book means that it is perfect reading for busy LIS practitioners but it is also eminently suitable for LIS students and researchers trying to get to grips with this complex area.

Contents:

Title page; Contents; List of figures; List of tables; Preface; Acronyms and abbreviations; 1 Background; Introduction; The library in society; Delivering library services; Electronic services; What is being measured?; Types of evaluation; The cost of measurement; Undertaking performance measurement; Trustworthiness; Ethical considerations; Conclusion; Resources; References; 2 Theoretical considerations; Introduction; Causal relationships; Theoretical perspectives 1: the positivist standpoint; Theoretical perspectives 2: the relativist standpoint; Research methods; Action research

Evidence-based practiceNarrative-based practice; Conclusion; Resources; References; 3 User satisfaction; Introduction; Satisfaction; User surveys; Attributes of customer satisfaction; Customer expectations; LibQUAL+TM; Public library user satisfaction; Specific methodologies; Conclusion; Resources; References; 4 Impact on users; Introduction; What is 'impact'?; Collecting data on impact; Assessing impact; The impact of electronic services; Surrogate measures of impact; Impact on learning; Enhancing student performance; Information literacy; Conclusion; Resources; References

5 Social and economic impactIntroduction; Social impact; Economic impact; Conclusion; Resources; References; 6 Inputs; Introduction; The library profile; Library statistics; Content: acquisition, use and review; Electronic resource usage; Data consistency; Selection of free online resources; Collection strength; Conclusion; Resources; References; 7 Processes; Introduction; Throughputs; The ISO 9000 standard; Business process reengineering; Electronic delivery; Conclusion; Resources; References; 8 Outputs; Introduction; Usage of library materials; Usage of websites; Presentation via the web

UsabilityConclusion; Resources; References; 9 Staff; Introduction; Staff surveys; Appraisal; Investors in People; Reflective practitioners; Conclusion; Resources; References; 10 Infrastructure; Introduction; The library building; ICT systems infrastructure; Other considerations; Conclusion; Resources; References; 11 Services for all; Introduction; Personalization; Group differentiation; Accessibility for users with disabilities; Guidelines and standards; Conclusion; Resources; References; 12 Benchmarking; Introduction; Benchmarking defined; Types of benchmarking; The benchmarking wheel

Benchmarking and quality managementBenchmarking and libraries; Benchmarking in practice; Benchmarking and service improvement: the evidence; Limitations of benchmarking; Conclusion; Resources; Resources; References; 13 The balanced scorecard; Introduction; Defining the balanced scorecard; Library implementations of the balanced scorecard; Conclusion; Resources; References; 14 Standards; Introduction; Public library service standards; Academic library standards; Other sectors; International, cross-sectoral standards; Conclusion; Resources; References; Appendix 1 Data collection methods

Introduction

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Jul 2018).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781856049887

1856049884

OCLC:

868270344