Best Value and Better Performance in Libraries
Although Best Value evaluations of public services are no longer required for local authorities in the UK, this framework and the related materials may still help as an overview of service evaluation issues and processes. These guidance materials were intended to help managers of both public and schools library services: the underlying research1 was funded by the Library and Information Commission in 2000.
March 2000
- How library service managers can get to grips with assessing the impact of services
- Putting the model into action
- Implementing the model
- Overall purpose/mission
- Aims/objectives
- Finding impact and achievement indicators (or success criteria)
- Services that contribute to delivering aims
- Output/service performance indicators
- Processes that contribute to realising the aims/objectives
- Process/performance indicators
- Review your indicators
- Baseline data
- Targets
- Implement and monitor
- ‘Getting out of the box’, choosing indicators and other issues
- Readers’ Responses
- Consultancy support from Library and Information Specialists
1. The Best Value and Better Performance in Libraries Project was conducted by a consortium led by Information Management Associates and also involving David Haynes Associates, the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham and Wiltshire and Swindon Learning Resources. The project team consisted of David Streatfield, Sharon Markless and Ray Swan (IMA); Noeleen Cookman (DHA); David Herbert (Hammersmith) and Susan McCulloch (Wiltshire). ↩