Quality measurement in Irish Academic Libraries: Maynooth University Case Study

Quality Measurement in Irish Academic Libraries: Maynooth University Case Study

Helen Fallon Maynooth University

Jon PurcellDurham University

www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

http://www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

maynoothuniversity.ie

Context

• Maynooth University 17 kilometres outside Dublin

• 9,000+ students• Strong Growth• Increasing

internationalisation• Funding - evidence

• New library building• University Strategic Plan

2012 – 2017• Strategic Plan 2016 – 2018• Library Quality Review 2015• LIBQUAL user survey 2014• Evidence

Quality Review – The Irish Context

• Irish Universities Act 1997• 3 cycles (2004, 2010 and 2015)• Each department undergoes individual review• Period under consideration – 5 years



Elements of Review

• Self Assessment Report (SAR) – reflective and evidence based

• Peer Review Visit • Peer Review Report • Quality Implementation Plan (QIP)



Self Assessment Report (SAR)• Introduction• Profile of the Library• Outcomes and actions from 2010 Quality Review• SWOT and benchmarking analysis• Draft Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)• User groups and range of activities and services• Communication and Engagement• Infrastructure and Facilities• Staff Profile and Development• Appendices



Maynooth University Quality Review 2015 Blog

https://libraryqualreview2015.wordpress.com/


Site visit• Two external reviewers and two internal

reviewers• Meetings with– University President and Senior University Staff, all

library staff, representatives from academic staff and various departments, postgraduate and undergraduate students, external stakeholders

• Exit Presentation• Two Days



Next Steps

• Peer Review Report• Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)



Gathering of Metrics in MU


• Recent change in Maynooth University Library from

paper based enquiries to online based enquiries

• KnowAll Enquire purchased and adapted for practical use

in our Library

• KnowAll Enquire can improve the user experience,

measure excellence and help inform the Self-

Assessment Report (SAR) in MU Library


What kind of Metrics do we gather?

• Library Information Services– Information Desk– Admission Desk– Contact method (face-to-face, Chat, email etc.)– Enquiry Type– Membership and Access Applications including

details– Shelving, Access Control



What kind of Metrics do we gather?• Facilities Team (Extended Opening Hours)– Headcounts– Building Issues e.g. Heating, windows etc.– Extra Hours worked

• Learning, Teaching and Research Development– LIST (Library Information Skills Tutorials) – Classes, duration, amount of attendees, notes – Library Tours– Orientation– Room Bookings and Events



What kind of Metrics do we gather?• Subject Librarians– Amount of enquiries and details– Contact method– Time by subject

• Digital and Electronic Collections– Queries e.g. Summon, digital/electronic collections– Off campus access

• Online Form• Patron Information



Inclusion in the Self-Assessment Report



The External Perspective

• External Reviewers as ‘critical friends’• Experienced University Library Directors• Informed, impartial, objective, expert practitioners• Having the trust and confidence of all stakeholders• Expectation of full disclosure – qualitative and

quantitative data / information• ‘Feeling the pulse’ of the library being reviewedResulting in lines of enquiry, a sense of institutional culture and set the scene for the Quality Review visit



What’s in it for the External Reviewers?

• Part of the remit of being a Library Director• Contributes to CPD• Giving something back to the profession• Beg, borrow or steal good ideas or exemplars of good

practice• Building relationships• Learning from and contributing to the Quality Review



Conclusion

• Quality Review good way of reflecting on our library service

• Recommendations acted upon• Aided the Library’s reputation within the University• Underpinned by evidence from sources such as Knowall

Enquire and Annual Reports• Good overall experience • Embeds the culture and practice of continuous

improvement



More Information

Fallon, H. and Purcell, J. (2013) Self and Peer Assessment a method of improving Quality. SCONUL Focus 59, pp. 38-42 http://www.sconul.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/13_12.pdf

Maynooth University Quality Review Blog 2015 https://libraryqualreview2015.wordpress.com/

Fallon, H. and Purcell, J. (2016) Self and Peer Assessment at Maynooth University Library IN J. Atkinson Quality and the Academic Library. Elsevier, pp. 45-53


http://www.sconul.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/13_12.pdf



Contact Details

Helen FallonDeputy University Librarian

[email protected] @helenfallon

Jon PurcellUniversity Librarian

Durham University [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]


Quality measurement in Irish Academic Libraries: Maynooth University Case Study

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