1. LATN Quality Assurance Benchmarking Project
Presentation to CAUL
April 2006
Gaynor Austen

2. Project objectives
Participants: Curtin, QUT, RMIT, UniSA, UTS, AucklandUT.
Researchers: Leanne Levinge (QUT) and Karen Tang (Curtin)
Objectives
review current practice in quality assurance across ATN libraries;
identify best practice and exemplars within ATN libraries; and
identify gaps and possible areas for improvement.
overall, a collaborative, information-sharing exercise.
Quality assurance in the context of this project included broad areas of:
quality frameworks and responsibility for QA;
planning – strategic and operational;
performance monitoring and measurement;
client evaluation and assessment mechanisms; and
the culture of quality within the library.

3. Methodology Literature Review
covering both national and international resources (little has been documented specifically on this topic, though the local Wilson, Pitman and Trahn, and McKinnon studies were of relevance)
Questionnaires
participants completed a questionnaire about their quality assurance processes
Interviews / site visits
questionnaire responses formed the basis of follow-up, in-person interviews with university librarians and ‘quality officers’
Websites / documentation
researchers considered the libraries’ relevant documentation and website resources in conjunction with other information collected

4. Key findings Different libraries have different strengths
Examples of best practice amongst LATN group
A functional and well-maintained quality framework – QUT
Embedding of QA within Library’s culture – AUT/UniSA
A special annual event dedicated to planning – UTS / QUT
Use of an overall Performance Framework addressing what will be measured, why, when and by whom - Curtin
Client involvement in planning – AUT
Clear, transparent scoping of planning initiatives, with resource implications - Curtin
Use of a subset of strategic performance measures – QUT
Prompt report back to clients on satisfaction surveys - RMIT

5. Key findings Examples of gaps across the ATN libraries
Individual work plans which systematically and consistently recognise contribution to library objectives, planning initiatives or achievement of performance targets
Effective strategies for managing and reporting ongoing statistics
Effective communication of library plans to external stakeholders
Measuring impact and outcomes, rather than just inputs and outputs
Systematic, targeted comparisons with other libraries, particularly at the international level

6. Follow up
Project website to be developed for supporting documentation, illustrative examples, and ‘good practice’ resources
LATN group to consider outcomes in detail
LATN group to consider possible collaborations arising from outcomes
Individual libraries to identify and action areas for improvement according to their own priorities and needs

7. Extra benefits Relationship building across ATN libraries
Establishment of methodology which could be used across other projects / areas
Development opportunities for researchers to increase their evaluation and project skills