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- Director of Information & University Librarian, University of York, UK 2007-2015 Director of Information Services, Cr... moreDirector of Information & University Librarian, University of York, UK 2007-2015
Director of Information Services, Cranfield University, UK 1984-2007
Medical Librarian, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, UK 1978-1984
Loughborough University 1977-1978
Cambridge University 1973-1976edit
This paper defines a framework and categorization of the types of evidence required to prove the value and impact of libraries. It questions the limitations of current measurement for library value, and hence for contributing to academic... more
This paper defines a framework and categorization of the types of evidence required to prove the value and impact of libraries. It questions the limitations of current measurement for library value, and hence for contributing to academic and research library planning and advocacy. The paper describes and draws on some of the recent progress in value and impact measurement over the last five years. Scenario planning exercises conducted by both ARL and SCONUL are used to analyse the likely
future value proposition emerging for libraries. A values-based value scorecard is proposed, which would demonstrate the transcendent value of academic and research libraries now and in the future.
future value proposition emerging for libraries. A values-based value scorecard is proposed, which would demonstrate the transcendent value of academic and research libraries now and in the future.
Research Interests:
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on advances in the understanding and practice of people evaluation in libraries. The paper is conceptual and offers a framework for human capital evaluation. The limitations are that an objective... more
The purpose of this paper is to reflect on advances in the understanding and practice of people evaluation in libraries. The paper is conceptual and offers a framework for human capital evaluation.
The limitations are that an objective basis for people measurement remains debatable, and a single coherent answer may not exist. Available tools can describe what is happening, and suggest positive interventions for improvement of benefit to libraries in any sector. The synthesis suggests the measures required to populate the library capital dimension of the value scorecard, thereby providing an estimation of the value of a library’s human capital.
The importance of the contribution of people in libraries for a successful future seems self-evident. People provide the energy and creativity required to evolve libraries to fit a rapidly changing context. Understanding our people at a deeper level will be part of serving future users better.
The paper fills a gap through a broad survey of advances in people assessment in libraries, and provides a unique framework for human capital measurement in libraries.
The limitations are that an objective basis for people measurement remains debatable, and a single coherent answer may not exist. Available tools can describe what is happening, and suggest positive interventions for improvement of benefit to libraries in any sector. The synthesis suggests the measures required to populate the library capital dimension of the value scorecard, thereby providing an estimation of the value of a library’s human capital.
The importance of the contribution of people in libraries for a successful future seems self-evident. People provide the energy and creativity required to evolve libraries to fit a rapidly changing context. Understanding our people at a deeper level will be part of serving future users better.
The paper fills a gap through a broad survey of advances in people assessment in libraries, and provides a unique framework for human capital measurement in libraries.
Research Interests:
а 73 Value, Impact and the Transcendent Library: Progress and Pressures in Performance Measurement and Evaluation J. Stephen Town (University of York, UK) Abstract This paper is a response to the assumption that libraries are under... more
а 73 Value, Impact and the Transcendent Library: Progress and Pressures in Performance Measurement and Evaluation J. Stephen Town (University of York, UK) Abstract This paper is a response to the assumption that libraries are under pressure to prove their worth, and that ...
Research Interests:
SCONUL had identified a growing need from University Librarians and Directors for data or methods to prove the value and worth of their library services to senior institutional stakeholders. The SCONUL Working Group on Performance... more
SCONUL had identified a growing need from University Librarians and Directors for data or methods to prove the value and worth of their library services to senior institutional stakeholders. The SCONUL Working Group on Performance Improvement (WGPI) was asked to develop a proposal to ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Are current systems of library performance measurement failing to demon-strate good performance and identify success? Are those in use, particularly in academic libraries in the UK, becoming less immediate to the concerns which we, as... more
Are current systems of library performance measurement failing to demon-strate good performance and identify success? Are those in use, particularly in academic libraries in the UK, becoming less immediate to the concerns which we, as library managers, face because they fail to ...
ED405869 - Benchmarking and Performance Measurement.
Research Interests:
This paper describes the Pilot of the LibQUAL+ survey methodology carried out in twenty UK academic institutions in 2003. The methodology is set in the context of other past and present customer understanding work undertaken by UK... more
This paper describes the Pilot of the LibQUAL+ survey methodology carried out in twenty UK academic institutions in 2003. The methodology is set in the context of other past and present customer understanding work undertaken by UK academic libraries. The results of the ...
... Having agreed that this area of work is both topical and relevant, the WGPI formed a small working party to scope a project proposal with the following membership: Maxine Melling (Liverpool John Moores), Stephen Town (Cranfield),... more
... Having agreed that this area of work is both topical and relevant, the WGPI formed a small working party to scope a project proposal with the following membership: Maxine Melling (Liverpool John Moores), Stephen Town (Cranfield), Philip Payne (Birkbeck) and Rupert Wood ...
Research Interests:
The background, objectives, programme and outcome of the five-day Workshop are reported. The support of the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency is outlined. Details are given of participants, exercises to discover local... more
The background, objectives, programme and outcome of the five-day Workshop are reported. The support of the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency is outlined. Details are given of participants, exercises to discover local context, the resulting ...
Research Interests:
This presentation covers a brief introduction to the skills agenda currently operating in most of the devel-oped world, with specific references to the UK, the US and Australasia.The consequent development of con-cepts of information... more
This presentation covers a brief introduction to the skills agenda currently operating in most of the devel-oped world, with specific references to the UK, the US and Australasia.The consequent development of con-cepts of information literacy are described, and related to the ...
This paper discusses the use of the LibQUAL+ library survey instrument and its ability to define an agenda for further improvements in a setting where quality maturity is high and library performance tends to be generally acknowledged as... more
This paper discusses the use of the LibQUAL+ library survey instrument and its ability to define an agenda for further improvements in a setting where quality maturity is high and library performance tends to be generally acknowledged as good. The results from the survey run in 2003 and ...
This paper reports on the SCONUL participation in the use of the LibQUAL+ survey methodology from 2003 to 2005. It discusses the history of performance measurement in the UK over the past decade and sets LibQUAL+ in the context of current... more
This paper reports on the SCONUL participation in the use of the LibQUAL+ survey methodology from 2003 to 2005. It discusses the history of performance measurement in the UK over the past decade and sets LibQUAL+ in the context of current practices. The overall results of the ...
... Selena Lock, Research Assistant, Cranfield University (Shrivenham) Tel: (01793) 785561 email: salock@cranfield.ac.uk J. Stephen Town, Director of Information Services, Cranfield University (Shrivenham) Tel: (01793) 785480 email:... more
... Selena Lock, Research Assistant, Cranfield University (Shrivenham) Tel: (01793) 785561 email: salock@cranfield.ac.uk J. Stephen Town, Director of Information Services, Cranfield University (Shrivenham) Tel: (01793) 785480 email: jstown@cranfield.ac.uk ...
Research Interests:
Captures and discusses the librarian's learning support role in an educational context, providing guidance and practical support. This book aims to challenge thinking in this area as well as offers practice-based advice. It... more
Captures and discusses the librarian's learning support role in an educational context, providing guidance and practical support. This book aims to challenge thinking in this area as well as offers practice-based advice. It is a useful reading for practitioners at various levels within the ...