Best value in public libraries: the role of research

Abstract

Public libraries, in common with other local government services, are obliged to obtain best value by striving for customer service of the highest quality and greatest efficiency. This article draws on data gathered from the Developing Research in Public Libraries (DRIPL) project, which shows how an understanding of research methods is increasingly required by public library managers to move services forward in strategic and operational terms. Following a description of the principles of best value, research areas are indicated which contribute to the achievement of best value in public libraries. The article notes areas where research could usefully be incorporated and shared more widely, and suggests publicly available resources which could be used by managers for performance measurement and user consultation.

Research governance: implications for health library and information professionals

“…An additional requirement is the consideration of research outputs in relation to impact and best value. Chivers provides evidence of the achievement of best value through the development of a research culture 27 . Communication and development of the research culture can be achieved through publication and presenting opportunity for critical review in professional journals and at conferences 28 …”

“…She stresses the importance of incorporating personal research plans into the wider departmental or organizational context and facilitating the cultivation of a research culture through strategic development 28 . In UK public libraries, the Developing Research in Public Libraries (DRIPL) project has provided a foundation for a research culture by demonstrating a range of research activity supported by research training events and incorporating local need with national strategy 27,54 . Whilst in the health sector Booth sees the strategic vision to some extent not being achieved, with research activity more ‘opportunistic than strategic’ 30 .…”

“…Chivers provides evidence of the achievement of best value through the development of a research culture. 27 Communication and development of the research culture can be achieved through publication and presenting opportunity for critical review in professional journals and at conferences. 28 One possible cultural change for many is the increasing trend towards consumer involvement or participatory research.…”

“…28 In UK public libraries, the Developing Research in Public Libraries (DRIPL) project has provided a foundation for a research culture by demonstrating a range of research activity supported by research training events and incorporating local need with national strategy. 27,54 Whilst in the health sector Booth sees the strategic vision to some extent not being achieved, with research activity more 'opportunistic than strategic'. 30 Attempts to map research projects like the National Research Register require the motivation of everyone to buy into the scheme, possibly explaining their limited success.…”

Management and the management of information and library services 2000

“…In the UK the government has introduced 'Best Value', a strategy for ensuring local authority services provide high quality services which meet consumer needs at the lowest cost. The research tools available to support the strategy are listed, categorised into general research tools, survey tools, Internet sites and informal local authority networks (Chivers and Thebridge, 2000). Following earlier UK research which found that there was a mismatch between the expectations of professional librarians and users concerning the future quality of public library services -the former expecting it to decline, the latter to improve, Lilley and Usherwood (2000) returned to investigate how the earlier views were formed.…”