Purpose – Knowledge Management (KM) in libraries refers to the systematic management and control of knowledge as an important resource when producing high-quality library and information services. If one wishes to make the optimal use and dissemination of organizational and other work life related knowledge, then one needs to acquire appropriate KM tools and to adopt a systematic procedure for KM throughout the organization. This can exert an energizing effect on the lifelong learning of the libraries’ staff which is essential in today’s rapidly changing scientific information environment. The purpose of this paper is to analyze KM practices is selected higher education libraries. Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative research conducted in three academic libraries – IZUS/Universitätsbibliothek Stuttgart, Germany; Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) Library Barcelona, Spain; and University of Eastern Finland (UEF) Library, Finland – makes a comparison of the KM processes being implemented in each of the institutions to ensure the continuous learning of the libraries’ staff. Findings – This comparative study revealed several key reasons and best practices for implementing KM procedures in the selected university libraries. They are collected under three main issues: KM advantages; KM technological opportunities; and KM organizational culture. Research limitations/implications – Based on three cases and thus are mainly examples of the KM implementation. Practical implications – Paper gives tools for libraries and their management on the KM system implementation. Social implications – Based on the paper’s findings the KM implementation in all the selected libraries led to better management and better staff inclusion into the library service development. Originality/value – KM implementation studies are still rare among the libraries.

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to benchmark two ISO 9001:2000 based quality management systems, one in the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain, and the other in Kuopio University, Finland.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is a case study in which both libraries' approach to the building of their quality management system are compared.FindingsThe ISO 9001:2000 guides institutions so that they will develop their quality management systems along similar lines. Both libraries have devised the same kinds of solutions to the key points of the standard and it has helped them to develop their services and analyze how they have succeeded in this task.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper is based on the experiences of two libraries.Practical implicationsThe paper gives examples for the implementation of the ISO 9001:2000 quality standard inside an academic library.Originality/valueThe paper provides ideas on how a quality system is best developed.

Consolidando la calidad en las bibliotecas universitarias: evaluaciones, sellos, diplomas y certificaciones Palabras clave: Gestión de la calidad, Bibliotecas universitarias, EFQM, ISO 9001.Title: Quality improvement in university libraries: evaluations, quality seals, diplomas and certifications Abstract: The effective construction of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) has given rise to many activities related to quality and the adoption of quality assurance systems in universities and their libraries can no longer be postponed. One third of Spanish university libraries have gained some type of public recognition for their system of quality management. The variety of approaches followed by university libraries to achieve this recognition is presented: certifications, diplomas and quality seals; a certain trend toward multi-certification is described. Keywords: Quality management, University libraries, EFQM, ISO 9001.Balagué, Núria. "Consolidando la calidad en las bibliotecas universitarias: evaluaciones, sellos, diplomas y certificaciones". En: El profesional de la información, 2007de la información, , julio-agosto, v. 16, n. 4, pp. 338-342. DOI: 10.3145/epi.2007 Introducción LA INTERNAcIoNALIZAcIÓN Es uNo de los factores que ha llevado al sector de la educación superior a ver la necesidad de garantizar la calidad de sus procesos y actividades. Los gobiernos, la explosión de la exportación educativa, la competencia entre universidades y el peligro del aislamiento, presionan a las instituciones de enseñanza para que sean cada vez más eficientes y preparen convenientemente a los estudiantes para la vida y el mercado laboral 1 .En el seno de la Unión Europea la base de esta internacionalización de la educación se fundamenta en la cooperación entre los estados miembros para la construcción efectiva del Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior, que se ha convertido en un dinamizador de muchas actividades relacionadas con la calidad.Los ministros de educación europeos, deseosos de afianzar la garantía de la calidad de la enseñanza superior, instaron durante la Conferencia de Bergen 2 (2005) a la adopción de los Criterios y Directrices para la Garantía de Calidad en el Espacio Europeo de Educación Superior elaborados por la ENQA 3 . El documento, que se concentra en los tres ciclos de la educación superior descritos en la Declaración de Bolonia y no pretende abarcar ni el ámbito de la investigación ni el de la gestión de la institución, hace una mención explícita a las bibliotecas en el apartado dedicado a recursos de aprendizaje y apoyo para el estudiante y establece que "las instituciones deben controlar, revisar y mejorar, de manera rutinaria, la efectividad de los servicios de apoyo para sus estudiantes".La adopción de un sistema de garantía de la calidad es una decisión inaplazable. ¿Cómo se plantean las universidades españolas el control, la revisión y la mejora de la efectividad de sus bibliotecas? ...y después certificarUn proceso de evaluación formal ha de tener como consecuencia inmediata la elaborac...

No abstract

Purpose -The purpose of the paper is to describe the main features of a university library quality management system, focusing specially on internal auditing. Design/methodology/approach -Adopting a case study approach, the paper attempts to show how auditing is a useful information management tool to improve library services. Findings -Internal auditing helps to consolidate the culture of quality and promote appropriate ethics and values.Research limitations/implications -The paper is based on a study case and the professional experience of the author. Practical implications -A view on a consolidated library's quality management system is presented in the paper. Originality/value -The paper provides ideas on how a library approaches an internal audit.