Benchmarking Library, Information and Education Services: New Strategic Choices in Challenging Times

Provides the foundations of ongoing research in the development of collections and services. The book contributes to practical outputs of general benefit to the sector, including customers, clients or stakeholders, offering ideas for how to identify comparative strengths and weaknesses and improve or enhance present practices regardless of how well institutions currently perform. The centerpiece of the book is a description, report and analysis of a major international QB exercise that culminates in a set of good practice statements.

The benefits of the QB methodology are applicable to individual institutions. Because of the current global turbulence, individuals, leaders and whole institutions are keen to learn more about what is happening and how they can develop sustainable solutions to both immediate challenges and longer-term scenarios. These include an analysis of third sector organizations, e-libraries, marketing information services, vocational training in higher education, the creative arts, and the role of partnerships in organizational openness.

Key Topics Covered

• Discusses qualitative benchmarking and its core tenets
• Helps readers understand the experiences of others and compare their own experiences to learn and adapt practices
• Presents tactics readers can use to identify their organization’s professional identity, value and purpose
• Provides an idea of what the future state of library, education and public services will look like