How do you improve library performance with benchmarks and standards?

1 What are benchmarks and standards?

Benchmarks and standards are tools that help you evaluate and compare your library's performance with other libraries or with best practices. Benchmarks are quantitative measures that show how your library performs on specific indicators, such as circulation, user satisfaction, or budget. Standards are qualitative criteria that define the minimum or desired level of performance for a library service, function, or operation, such as collection development, staff training, or space planning. Benchmarks and standards can be internal or external, depending on whether they are based on your own library's data and goals or on data and goals from other libraries or organizations.

2 How to choose benchmarks and standards?

Choosing the right benchmarks and standards for your library depends on several factors, such as your library's mission, vision, and strategic plan, your library's type and size, your library's users and stakeholders, and your library's environment and challenges. You should also consider the availability, reliability, and validity of the data sources and methods that you will use to collect and analyze the benchmarks and standards. You can use existing benchmarks and standards from national or international associations, such as ALA, IFLA, or ISO, or you can develop your own benchmarks and standards based on your library's specific needs and context.

3 How to apply benchmarks and standards?

Applying benchmarks and standards to your library requires a systematic and collaborative process that involves planning, collecting, analyzing, reporting, and using the data. You should start by defining the purpose and scope of your library assessment and evaluation, and identifying the key questions and indicators that you want to measure. Then, you should select the appropriate benchmarks and standards that match your indicators, and determine the data sources and methods that you will use to collect the data. Next, you should analyze the data and compare your library's performance with the benchmarks and standards, and identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that emerge from the results. Finally, you should report and communicate the findings and recommendations to your library staff, users, stakeholders, and decision-makers, and use the feedback and evidence to improve your library services, processes, and outcomes.

4 How to use benchmarks and standards for continuous improvement?

Using benchmarks and standards for continuous improvement means that you do not stop at the first cycle of assessment and evaluation, but rather repeat the process regularly and systematically, and monitor the progress and impact of your actions. You should use benchmarks and standards as a way to set realistic and achievable goals for your library, and to track and demonstrate your library's value and impact. You should also use benchmarks and standards as a way to identify gaps and areas for improvement, and to prioritize and implement changes that enhance your library's performance. Moreover, you should use benchmarks and standards as a way to learn from others and share best practices, and to foster a culture of innovation and excellence in your library.

5 What are the benefits and challenges of using benchmarks and standards?

Using benchmarks and standards can bring many advantages to your library, such as improving quality and efficiency, increasing accountability and transparency, enhancing user satisfaction and loyalty, strengthening advocacy and funding, and promoting professional development and recognition. However, there are also some challenges associated with using benchmarks and standards, like finding reliable data sources and methods, balancing quantitative and qualitative measures, adapting to different contexts and expectations, avoiding complacency and competition, and managing the time and resources required. Consequently, you should use benchmarks and standards with caution and flexibility while always bearing in mind the purpose of your library assessment and evaluation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?