One size doesn’t fit all? Harnessing multiple assessment frameworks to build the value proposition for the organisation

The Macquarie University Library quality framework was developed in 2007 and consists of a biennial client survey, a cycle of service improvement reviews and the ongoing review and assessment of statistical data. Whilst these mechanisms do provide us with essential evidence they aren’t capturing the value proposition that underpins the story of the Library. This proposition needs to be able to adapt to multiple audiences from communicating with our clients to presenting our strategic vision to the University. The opening of our new Library brings an ideal opportunity to review our assessment approaches in order to enhance our value proposition for the organisation. In July 2011 we moved to our new Library and the last 6 months of 2011 were focused on gathering information from our clients relating to their impressions and experiences of the new spaces and service provision. We have seen a significant increase in the physical and virtual use of our spaces, resources and services and yet our client surveys still evidenced the same feedback we have been receiving for the past 5 years – not enough power points and more quiet study spaces! Considering that we have doubled the access to seating, computers and power points what assessment measures do we need to engage that will bring a more comprehensive picture of our value and highlight the key improvement areas that will ensure we are providing the services and support our clients require. In 2012 the Library will undergo a review as part of the University’s Quality Enhancement framework. Within the broad parameters of the review there will be a specific focus on the “development of metrics around outcomes measures to demonstrate fitness for purpose, particularly in relation to benchmarking nationally and internationally”. An integral part of this will be identifying opportunities to integrate the Library into University assessment. Macquarie University has taken the lead role in the development of a national Teaching Standards Framework and the University Librarian participated in this development by drafting an initial evidence matrix to be used to assess Library Resource provision within this framework. This paper will report on the progress of the Library Review, the integration of Library assessment in the Teaching Standards Framework and identify the tools and methods that will form our Library Quality Framework from 2013.