Self-assessment based on EFQM: a possible solution for self-assessment in library environment

Abstract

The first part of the study presents an organizational self-assessment method based on the EFQM model and specially adapted to the library environment. Out of the various self-assessment methods of EFQM, the author selected the formal (pro-forma) method as the most suitable one for the self-assessment of a wide range of libraries. The paper gives detailed guidelines on the setting up of a comprehensive formal self-assessment process. The second part of the study summarises the outcomes of two organizational self-assessment projects carried out with the formal method. Both processes were conducted at the same library, but in two consecutive years. In the first year, the library operated in very poor infrastructural conditions, then in the second year, the library moved to a new building. Prior to the analysis of the results, it was expected that staff satisfaction is significantly determined by the physical working conditions of the organization (level of comfort of the building and the staff rooms, technical and ICT infrastructure). However, this presumption was not justified: the results of the second self-assessment process were in many indica-tors less positive than the results of the first project. The paper gives an analysis of all the factors that con-tributed to this surprising outcome.The first part of the study presents an organizational self-assessment method based on the EFQM model and specially adapted to the library environment. Out of the various self-assessment methods of EFQM, the author selected the formal (pro-forma) method as the most suitable one for the self-assessment of a wide range of libraries. The paper gives detailed guidelines on the setting up of a comprehensive formal self-assessment process. The second part of the study summarises the outcomes of two organizational self-assessment projects carried out with the formal method. Both processes were conducted at the same library, but in two consecutive years. In the first year, the library operated in very poor infrastructural conditions, then in the second year, the library moved to a new building. Prior to the analysis of the results, it was expected that staff satisfaction is significantly determined by the physical working conditions of the organization (level of comfort of the building and the staff rooms, technical and ICT infrastructure). However, this presumption was not justified: the results of the second self-assessment process were in many indica-tors less positive than the results of the first project. The paper gives an analysis of all the factors that con-tributed to this surprising outcome.