Performance Measurement and Performance Indicators in Libraries: A Framework for Practitioners

Libraries and Key Performance Indicators: A Framework for Practitioners explores ways by which libraries across all sectors can demonstrate their value and impact to stakeholders through quality assurance and performance measurement platforms, including library assessment, evaluation methodologies, surveys, and annual reporting. Whilst several different performance measurement tools are considered, the book’s main focus is on one tool in particular: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). KPIs are increasingly being used to measure the performance of library and information services, however, linking KPIs to quality outcomes, such as impact and value can prove very difficult. This book discusses, in detail, the concept of KPIs in the broader context of library assessment and performance measurement. Through reviewing some of the applied theory around using KPIs, along with harvesting examples of current best practices in KPI usage from a variety of different libraries, the book demystifies library KPIs, providing a toolkit for any library to be used in setting meaningful KPIs against targets, charters, service standards, and quality outcomes.

• Provides an overview of performance measurement tools for libraries
• Discusses KPIs in a broad context
• Offers an understanding of reporting, monitoring, and acting upon KPI data
• Provides best practice examples of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in libraries
• Includes practical and reusable examples of KPIs that can be applied in local contexts (a toolkit approach)

Leo Appleton is the Director of Library Services at Goldsmiths, University of London where he is responsible for the operational and strategic management of the university's library services. His previous roles include Associate Director posts at the University of the Arts, London and Liverpool John Moores University and he has held library leadership and management positions in several other higher and further education institutions. During his professional career Leo has been involved in many aspects of library and information provision and management including academic liaison and support, library space and building design, quality assurance and performance measurement, staff development and training, technology enhanced learning, collection development and the provision of electronic and digital library resources. He has presented and published widely on several of these areas.
Leo is a chartered fellow of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals and has is currently active within the Multimedia, Information and Technology group (MmIT), as the editor of the MmIT Journal. Leo is also the associate editor of the New Review of Academics Librarianship and co-editor of the UKSG electronic newsletter eNews. Leo also has a long standing and active involvement with SCONUL and is currently a member of its Transformation Group.

Leo’s professional interests include performance measurement of libraries and strategic approaches to service delivery. He is currently studying for a Phd at Edinburgh Napier University in which he is investigating the value and impact of UK public libraries on citizenship development. This research is taking him outside of his natural higher education environment as he conducts his empirical research in public libraries across the UK.