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education links Best Practice Handbook for Australian University LibrariesIntroduction / ContextOrigin and Background to the HandbookToday many Australian academic libraries are actively involved in the implementation of quality frameworks and are utilising quality management tools such as benchmarking and performance measurement. However, much of what is happening within these libraries is not well known nor communicated outside the institution. There is generally a lack of published literature within the Australian scholarly journals on these topics, with the result that libraries may either be duplicating effort in the development of performance indicators, undertaking projects in isolation unaware of work already being done elsewhere, or are being deterred from action by the considerable task of investigating what is available and appropriate for the institutional situation. Time factors are critical within university libraries and there is a certain level of perception that it is all too hard to be worth the effort. Consequently, there are obvious benefits in a greater sharing of experience and ideas, and in the development of some kind of practical hands-on guide. Role of the Council of Australian University Librarians (CAUL)The Council of Australian Librarians (CAUL) has been concerned to facilitate access by Australian university libraries to information which would assist them with the implementation of best practice initiatives. In 1998, the CAUL Executive developed a proposal to the Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA) for funding to carry out an investigation into such areas. This proposal was accepted, and resulted in the conduct of an Evaluation and Investigation project (EIP) which was undertaken between October 1998 and July 1999. This handbook is a direct outcome of that project. EIP Best Practice ProjectThe project 'Best Practice for Australian University Libraries' investigated current 'best practice' activities within Australian academic libraries and compared these with those in selected overseas countries. 'Best practice activities' were considered to encompass the implementation of quality frameworks, and the use of benchmarking and performance measurement as tools for the continuous improvement of products, processes and services. Staff competencies required for the effective application of these frameworks and tools were also investigated. Through a combination of surveys, site visits and an extensive review of Australian and overseas literature on the topic, the project team were able to evaluate the extent of implementation of quality frameworks in Australian academic libraries, and the degree and range of use of quality management tools such as benchmarking and performance measurement. Methodologies and exemplars identifiedThe project identified a number of strategies for the pursuit of quality / best practice in Australian academic libraries, through a review of the literature, discussion of the survey findings and the inclusion of Australian and overseas case studies. Evaluation of currently available methodologies for library benchmarking, academic library performance indicators, the applicability of quality management principles to academic library management, and the application and usefulness of library staff competencies were also been addressed. Much of this work is included in the manual. Manual and contentsTo enhance the practical value of the project, it was decided that guidelines for the application of best practice would be developed in the form of a practical manual which Australian academic libraries could use to assist them in implementing 'best practice' initiatives. Many libraries are deterred from implementing initiatives in regard to benchmarking, performance indicators, and quality frameworks by the perception that it is too costly to investigate the appropriate applications for their circumstances. Since there is a wealth of experience currently available and continuing to come on stream within Australasia and internationally the authors decided it would be an effective investment in the better management of Australian university libraries to make up to date information and advice easily available and updateable. The information in the handbook is particularly relevant for libraries who have done little in this area but also for the more experienced institutions who wish to keep up to date or to promote an application which may be new to them.
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