Assessing ‘Goodness’: A Review of Quality Frameworks for Australian Academic Libraries

Abstract

Quality assessment can help a library link its services and performance to strategic university goals and priorities. A vast body of professional literature describes quality and assessment theory and practice in libraries, including comprehensive International Standards. However there is no single measure of 'goodness' for libraries, and choices must be made to ensure assessment activities are effective and sustainable. Libraries seeking to strategically demonstrate their value and proactively respond to emerging priorities have much to gain from an understanding of this field. This review article aims to highlight the features, advantages and outcomes associated with contemporary approaches to quality management and assessment, and offer sources for further exploration. International Standards are discussed, as well as specific methodologies and approaches. This review is placed in the context of current issues and opportunities for Australian academic libraries. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • A complex range of drivers in the international higher education sector are compelling academic libraries to demonstrate their quality, value and impact. • Qualitative and quantitative assessment methods can be used to effectively collect evidence of the quality, value and impact of the library. • A range of internationally recognised frameworks can help libraries to take a holistic approach to quality assessment. • At a more targeted level, there are a wide range of relevant approaches to assessment that have been successfully used by libraries, and libraries must be strategic in their selection of methods in order to achieve the desired outcomes. • An essential outcome from assessing quality must be communicating quality to clients and stakeholders, ideally in the context of broader and strategic institutional goals.

Understanding Library Users via Surveys and Other Methods—Best Practices for Evidence-Based Library Development

“…Sputore and Fitzgibbons identified a number of useful methods for quality assessment such as user surveys, analysis of statistics, ethnographic methods and economic methods (Sputore & Fitzgibbons, 2017). These various methods can be used to understand the users' perception of quality, undertake planning and program improvements, operate more strategically, empower staff, and demonstrate quality to users and institutions.…”

“…These various methods can be used to understand the users' perception of quality, undertake planning and program improvements, operate more strategically, empower staff, and demonstrate quality to users and institutions. Systems for communicating the data such as balanced score card and collected narratives are also useful (Sputore & Fitzgibbons, 2017).…”

Measuring the academic library

“…Guided by national and international frameworks, the qualitative and quantitative assessment methods used by Australian academic libraries is a varied mix that includes user surveys, learning and data analytics, ethnographic approaches, user experience studies, economic approaches and narrative approaches (Sputore and Fitzgibbons, 2017). In common with other Australian academic libraries, La Trobe University Library uses this full range of methods to assess programmes and services, maintain quality and collect evidence of the library contribution to university strategic priorities in learning and research.…”

How assessment websites of academic libraries convey information and show value

“…The findings helped to provide evidence to develop library spaces and to provide information literacy assistance appropriate for the transitioning of international students. In a recent review of quality frameworks for assessing "goodness" of Australian academic libraries it was stated that "qualitative and quantitative methods can be used to effectively collect evidence of the quality, value and impact of the library" (Sputore and Fitzgibbons, 2017).…”