This presentation outlines the quality review process in Maynooth University in Ireland. It complements our chapter on the same topic: Fallon, H. and Purcell, J. (2016) Self and Peer Assessment at Maynooth University Library IN J. Atkinson Quality and the Academic Library. Elsevier, pp. 45-53

1. Quality Measurement
in Irish Academic
Libraries:
Maynooth University
Case Study
Helen Fallon
Maynooth University
Jon Purcell
Durham University

2. www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

3. maynoothuniversity.ie
Context
• Maynooth University 17
kilometres outside Dublin
• 9,000+ students
• Strong Growth
• Increasing
internationalisation
• Funding - evidence
• New library building
• University Strategic Plan
2012 – 2017
• Strategic Plan 2016 – 2018
• Library Quality Review 2015
• LIBQUAL user survey 2014
• Evidence

4. Quality Review – The Irish Context
• Irish Universities Act 1997
• 3 cycles (2004, 2010 and 2015)
• Each department undergoes individual review
• Period under consideration – 5 years
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

5. Elements of Review
• Self Assessment Report (SAR)
– reflective and evidence based
• Peer Review Visit
• Peer Review Report
• Quality Implementation Plan (QIP)
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

6. Self Assessment Report (SAR)
• Introduction
• Profile of the Library
• Outcomes and actions from 2010 Quality Review
• SWOT and benchmarking analysis
• Draft Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)
• User groups and range of activities and services
• Communication and Engagement
• Infrastructure and Facilities
• Staff Profile and Development
• Appendices
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

7. Maynooth University Quality Review 2015 Blog
https://libraryqualreview2015.wordpress.com/

8. Site visit
• Two external reviewers and two internal
reviewers
• Meetings with
– University President and Senior University Staff, all
library staff, representatives from academic staff and
various departments, postgraduate and
undergraduate students, external stakeholders
• Exit Presentation
• Two Days
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

9. Next Steps
• Peer Review Report
• Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

10. Gathering of Metrics in MU
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library
• Recent change in Maynooth University Library from
paper based enquiries to online based enquiries
• KnowAll Enquire purchased and adapted for practical use
in our Library
• KnowAll Enquire can improve the user experience,
measure excellence and help inform the Self-
Assessment Report (SAR) in MU Library

11. What kind of Metrics do we gather?
• Library Information Services
– Information Desk
– Admission Desk
– Contact method (face-to-face, Chat, email etc.)
– Enquiry Type
– Membership and Access Applications including
details
– Shelving, Access Control
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

12. What kind of Metrics do we gather?
• Facilities Team (Extended Opening Hours)
– Headcounts
– Building Issues e.g. Heating, windows etc.
– Extra Hours worked
• Learning, Teaching and Research Development
– LIST (Library Information Skills Tutorials)
– Classes, duration, amount of attendees, notes
– Library Tours
– Orientation
– Room Bookings and Events
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

13. What kind of Metrics do we gather?
• Subject Librarians
– Amount of enquiries and details
– Contact method
– Time by subject
• Digital and Electronic Collections
– Queries e.g. Summon, digital/electronic collections
– Off campus access
• Online Form
• Patron Information
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

14. Inclusion in the Self-Assessment Report
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

15. The External Perspective
• External Reviewers as ‘critical friends’
• Experienced University Library Directors
• Informed, impartial, objective, expert practitioners
• Having the trust and confidence of all stakeholders
• Expectation of full disclosure – qualitative and
quantitative data / information
• ‘Feeling the pulse’ of the library being reviewed
Resulting in lines of enquiry, a sense of institutional culture
and set the scene for the Quality Review visit
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

16. What’s in it for the External Reviewers?
• Part of the remit of being a Library Director
• Contributes to CPD
• Giving something back to the profession
• Beg, borrow or steal good ideas or exemplars of good
practice
• Building relationships
• Learning from and contributing to the Quality Review
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

17. Conclusion
• Quality Review good way of reflecting on our library
service
• Recommendations acted upon
• Aided the Library’s reputation within the University
• Underpinned by evidence from sources such as Knowall
Enquire and Annual Reports
• Good overall experience
• Embeds the culture and practice of continuous
improvement
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

18. More Information
Fallon, H. and Purcell, J. (2013) Self and Peer Assessment a
method of improving Quality. SCONUL Focus 59, pp. 38-
42
http://www.sconul.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/13_12.pdf
Maynooth University Quality Review Blog 2015
https://libraryqualreview2015.wordpress.com/
Fallon, H. and Purcell, J. (2016) Self and Peer Assessment at
Maynooth University Library IN J. Atkinson Quality and
the Academic Library. Elsevier, pp. 45-53
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library

19. Contact Details
Helen Fallon
Deputy University Librarian
Helen.B.Fallon@nuim.ie
@helenfallon
Jon Purcell
University Librarian
Durham University Library
jon.purcell@durham.ac.uk
www.maynoothuniversity.ie/library