Embracing change: evidence‐based management in action

Abstract

PurposeIn recent years public libraries have increasingly been required to collect data for the assessment of their performance and to inform service developments. The purpose of this paper is to describe an initiative to promote an evidence‐based approach to library management in a UK county library service.Design/methodology/approachThe paper gives a definition of evidence‐based librarianship and describes how a three‐year study put evidence‐based management (EBM) principles into practice, and the implications for the staff and service as a whole.FindingsAn evidence‐based approach to library management yields considerable benefits in terms of service delivery and staff attitudes to data handling. When staff understand the purpose and benefits of collecting data and have the skills to handle evidence, they are more inclined to take ownership of these processes.Research limitations/implicationsThis research is limited to one public library authority in the UK. A key priority for future work is the exploration of how the experience gained in this initiative may be transferred to other library services and domains.Practical implicationsThe practical implications of this work are widespread across the service. Staff at all levels seem to have greater awareness of the data collection process and how evidence can be used to inform decisions, both in the day‐to‐day running of the service and in the strategic planning process. The project culminated in the formulation of a performance management resource; a single point of reference for all staff involved in data handling and decision making.Originality/valueA practical study of evidence‐based librarianship has never before been undertaken on this scale in the UK.

Decision-making experiences of public library CEOs

“…For some librarians, evidence is sought as increasing attention is devoted to developing a culture of assessment, both in the library sector (Greenwood and Cleeve, 2008;Mackenzie, 2009). For others, evidence is sought and integrated into the work practitioners perform when they feel they will be put in position where convince and influencing may be necessary (Koufigiannikis, 2013).…”

“…The rationale for using evidence A notable link can be drawn between the use of evidence in the growing interest in value studies (Chivers and Thebridge, 2000), those studies demonstrating impact (Brettle, 2014), and more specifically, in measuring return on investment (Tenopir, 2013). For some librarians, evidence is sought as increasing attention is devoted to developing a culture of assessment, both in the library sector (Greenwood and Cleeve, 2008;Mackenzie, 2009). For others, evidence is sought and integrated into the work practitioners perform when they feel they will be put in position where convince and influencing may be necessary (Koufigiannikis, 2013).…”

Integration of evidence-based library and information practice into school library education: A case study

“…Articles touting the benefits of EBLIP have been found across LIS journals (e.g. Derven & Kendlin, 2011;Greenwood & Cleeve, 2008;Savard & Alcock, 2007;Smith, 2009). Additionally, presentations at conferences across all areas of librarianship have supported EBLIP (e.g.…”