Public Libraries SERVICE MANAGEMENT Example

Public Libraries SERVICE MANAGEMENT Example Public Libraries SERVICE MANAGEMENT â€" Assignment Example > PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVICE MANAGEMENTA Benchmarking Exercise of Local Authority A Library ServicesSubmitted toThe Local Authority AByDirector of Library Services, Local Authority AMarch 14, 2009TABLE OF CONTENTSContents……………………………………………………………………2Summary…………………………………………………………………. .3Introduction: 3.1.Background. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... 3.2 Purpose. .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .... .. 3.3 Scope ……………………………………………………………. 455 4.0 A Benchmarking Exercise Of Local Authority A’s Library Services 4.1 Ten Key Measures And Metrics…………………………………. . 4.2 Strengths/ weaknesses……………………………………………. 56-910-12 5.0 Appropriate Methodology ……⠀¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦â€¦. ..13-15Conclusions………………………………………………………………. .16Recommendations…………………………………………………………16References………………………………………………………………. ..17SUMMARY. The following report begins with a general overview and background of the factors that necessitated the commencement of a benchmarking process for an imaginary Local Authority (A). It then follows up with the purpose of the report as well as a description of its scope. It then gives a comprehensive analysis of the ten measures and metrics that shall be used and they include: the membership and usage; circulation/ collections; the hours open per week/ availability; the I T Efficiency; income/ profitability; expenditure; existing resources/ collection; and customer satisfactionThereafter, the report analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of the aforementioned measures/ metrics. It discovers that most of them are strong apart from the qualitative measures such as customer satisfaction and service efficiency since they proved to be immeasurable. The report then concludes with a summary of the findings as well as recommendations on how best the benchmarking exercise should be undertaken. INTRODUCTION. BackgroundFollowing the current economic global crisis that has negatively affected the country, local authorities, like other sectors of the government, have had to grapple with a serious budget deficit. In a bid to reduce this deficit, all local authorities have been forced to make cuts to their budgets to remain afloat in these trying times. Inevitably, library services across the country have been targeted as sectors that require cuts to their budgets and Local Authority A’s Library Services is no exception. Local Authority A is the largest in the United Kingdom and likewise has a relatively big budget for its library services. Nevertheless, it has one of the most (if not the most), cost effective and efficient library service in the country, being in the top 20% of Library Services. Benchmarking is thus a very important contractual tool that can be used to prove the efficiency of the Library Services as well as to establish the much needed performance standards that we are contractually obligated to deliver in a rapidly changing Library Services environment. If enforced successfully, it will go a long way in not only improving the relationship between the Library Services and Local Authority A but also in creating new opportunities for the Library Services with regards to additional services and subsequently, a more optimal return on its investment. PurposeThis report seeks to implement a benchmarking exercise of Local Authority A’s Library services in comparison to the Library Services of other local authorities. It mainly seeks to establish what the specific measures and metrics are in this benchmarking exercise; the relative strengths and weaknesses of these measures and metrics; and how exactly the benchmarking exercise will be conducted. ScopeAn effective benchmarking exercise should be current. The findings in this report are therefore based on library services performed by Local Authority A over the past 18 months. In addition, the report covers all the services in all the libraries within Local Authority A.