Guidance

Benchmarking Framework for library services

Sector-led benchmarking framework for library services

Documents

Organisational model for the Benchmarking Framework

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Improvement plan for the Benchmarking Framework

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Full (recommended) Benchmarking Framework for library services (Version 1: September 2017)

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Shorter (alternative) benchmarking framework for library services (Version 1: September 2017)

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Details

The Taskforce was active between 2015 to 2020.

This Framework is currently in ‘beta’; which means this is the first version. Some parts of the Framework are more developed than others. We intend to add more detail and examples over time, based on what users tell us they need. During this beta phase, we’ll be continually testing and improving the benchmarking framework. We’re looking for feedback. Please let us know your thoughts by emailing us on librariestaskforce@culture.gov.uk. We’ll be publishing a revised version later in the autumn.

It’s been designed by the sector to support library services to develop their organisational capability to achieve enhanced and sustainable positive outcomes for the communities they serve. The Framework is not a product, an award or a badge; it’s a ‘journey’ of improvement across all aspects of the library service and its work (underpinned by self-assessment).

The Framework is designed to be used by any type of library service. It is likely to be most effective when applied to a whole service, rather than individual libraries. However community managed libraries should also find the framework useful, especially if they conduct self-assessment and improvement planning in collaboration with the council’s library service.

This Framework consists of the following documents:

  • introductions and recommended process (HTML)
  • guidance for using the Framework (HTML)
  • full (recommended) Framework template (HTML and downloadable template)
  • shorter (alternative) Framework template (HTML and downloadable template)
  • organisational model (downloadable template)
  • improvement plan (downloadable template)

This Framework was developed by the Local Government Association, working with Steve Wood & Associates on behalf of the Libraries Taskforce.

Updates to this page

Published 15 September 2017

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