16 Performance measurement

16.1 Introduction
16.2 MFO output measures
16.3 Performance measures - individual collections
16.4 Banding profile and balance

16.1 Introduction

To ensure that all parts of the collection are healthy, well used and responsive to customer requirements, the performance of the collection is actively managed. 

There is a range of performance measures.  Some apply to the entire collection, others are applied to individual collections, and will vary according to the banding profile of a library, the format or category of material, and the practical measures available to us.

Performance measures for the entire collection are organised in the output areas established through the Managing for Outcomes (MFO) project.  Some of these measures have targets set through the Auckland City annual plan process.  Others are for internal use only, to assist in effectively managing collections.  All results against measures are reported to the Collections Steering Group annually.

Targets set are based on LIANZA Standards for Public Libraries, or international evidence-based collection management tools.  Performance measurement against these targets will be carried out either six monthly, or annually.  Some newly established targets will be implemented over a five-year period from 2004.  The Collections 3-year Development Plan will outline how ACL/TPK will move to achieve these targets.

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16.2 MFO output measures

This list is the MFO measures established in 2004.  The measures are reviewed annually.

Collection acquisition

• number of items purchased
• number of items deselected
• number of database and serial subscriptions
• holdings per capita
• collections spend per capita
• customer satisfaction with collections
  

Collection preservation

• number of collection items conserved and preserved
• percentage of collections insured and stored in the correct conditions
• customer satisfaction with collections
  

Information and knowledge development

• number of records added to unique databases
• number of web pages created and maintained
• customer satisfaction with databases and indexes

Development and provision of information access tools

• number of library website visits
• number of public computers per capita
• number of all online databases
• number of visits to online databases
• customer satisfaction with collection organisation and information access tools

Collection organisation

• number of new collection titles catalogued and described
• average number of days to make collections shelf ready
• accuracy of new collection titles catalogued
• customer satisfaction with collection organisation
  

Lend collections

• number of items issued
• issues per capita
• collection turnover
• percentage of population as registered members

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16.3  Performance measures - individual collections

Specific targets are described in the individual collection management policy for the collection.

• turnover (loans per item)
• age of collections
• underuse targets
• overuse targets (worn out)
• revenue targets
• in-library use
• digital resources
• improvement of measures for hot spots

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16.4 Banding profile and balance

ACL/TPK will be divided into bands for collection development purposes, based on a combination of:

• Catchment numbers i.e. population numbers using the library, based on pin map survey of accessibility and census data, moderated to account for overlaps of the catchment with other sites
• Collection numbers, i.e. the amount of items currently held at the site
• Performance of existing resources
• Role of collections at Central City Library, for example, research focus or lifestyles focus.

Banding will be used:

• To determine number of items set as per capita target at each site
• To determine the performance measures at each site
• To determine budget allocation at each site for core collections
• To offer a flexible approach to the community library model for instance if the demographics of a local catchment area move, the banding model will assist with appropriate allocation of the collection.
• To determine the guidelines for percentage allocation of collection categories at each site.  (See Balance of collection table).

Collections at each site will be supplemented by niche/specialist roles that will determine additional depth to the collection.

The LIANZA Standards for Public Libraries have recommendations for libraries serving different sized populations around the percentage allocation of holdings for adult fiction, adult non-fiction, and children’s and teenagers resources.  Based on these ACL/TPK has developed target standards for this allocation for each band of libraries, which are listed below in the bands profile and balance table.  ACL/TPK aims to achieve these targets over a five-year period.

**The Mobile Library will be dealt with as a band 1 library, but will have different allocations of collections to reflect its niche role which is currently as a service to older persons.

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