QUT Library

CRICOS No.00213J

Division of Technology Information and Learning Support

LATN Quality Assurance Benchmarking Project

Presentation to CAUL

April 2006

Gaynor Austen

QUT Library

CRICOS No.00213J

Project objectives

Participants: Curtin, QUT, RMIT, UniSA, UTS, AucklandUT.Researchers: Leanne Levinge (QUT) and Karen Tang (Curtin)

Objectives• review current practice in quality assurance across ATN libraries; • identify best practice and exemplars within ATN libraries; and • identify gaps and possible areas for improvement.• overall, a collaborative, information-sharing exercise.

Quality assurance in the context of this project included broad areas of:• quality frameworks and responsibility for QA; • planning – strategic and operational;• performance monitoring and measurement; • client evaluation and assessment mechanisms; and• the culture of quality within the library.

QUT Library

CRICOS No.00213J

Methodology

Literature Review• covering both national and international resources (little has been documented

specifically on this topic, though the local Wilson, Pitman and Trahn, and McKinnon studies were of relevance)

Questionnaires• participants completed a questionnaire about their quality assurance processes

Interviews / site visits• questionnaire responses formed the basis of follow-up, in-person interviews with

university librarians and ‘quality officers’

Websites / documentation• researchers considered the libraries’ relevant documentation and website resources

in conjunction with other information collected

QUT Library

CRICOS No.00213J

Key findingsDifferent libraries have different strengths

Examples of best practice amongst LATN group

• A functional and well-maintained quality framework – QUT

• Embedding of QA within Library’s culture – AUT/UniSA

• A special annual event dedicated to planning – UTS / QUT

• Use of an overall Performance Framework addressing what will be measured, why, when and by whom - Curtin

• Client involvement in planning – AUT

• Clear, transparent scoping of planning initiatives, with resource implications - Curtin

• Use of a subset of strategic performance measures – QUT

• Prompt report back to clients on satisfaction surveys - RMIT

QUT Library

CRICOS No.00213J

Key findings

Examples of gaps across the ATN libraries

• Individual work plans which systematically and consistently recognise contribution to library objectives, planning initiatives or achievement of performance targets

• Effective strategies for managing and reporting ongoing statistics

• Effective communication of library plans to external stakeholders

• Measuring impact and outcomes, rather than just inputs and outputs

• Systematic, targeted comparisons with other libraries, particularly at the international level

QUT Library

CRICOS No.00213J

Follow up

• Project website to be developed for supporting documentation, illustrative examples, and ‘good practice’ resources

• LATN group to consider outcomes in detail

• LATN group to consider possible collaborations arising from outcomes

• Individual libraries to identify and action areas for improvement according to their own priorities and needs

QUT Library

CRICOS No.00213J

Extra benefits

• Relationship building across ATN libraries

• Establishment of methodology which could be used across other projects / areas

• Development opportunities for researchers to increase their evaluation and project skills