What is ISO 21248 - Quality assessment for national libraries about?
ISO 21248 discusses information and documentation. ISO 21248 details quality assessment of national libraries for proving the value and benefit of national libraries to individual users and society also the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of library services they provide.
ISO 21248 defines terms for the quality assessment of national libraries and specifies the following methods for the assessment: performance measurement, and impact assessment. Comparisons between libraries are possible if differences in the mandate, tasks, and constituencies of the libraries are taken into account.
Note1: Not all methods described in ISO 21248 apply to all national libraries. Limitations of the applicability of individual methods are specified in the descriptions.
Note2: ISO 21248 is not intended to exclude the use of performance indicators or of methods for impact assessment not specified in it.
Note3: ISO 21248 does not cover web archiving, but refers to ISO/TR 14873 for statistics and quality issues for this new task of national libraries.
Who is ISO 21248 - Quality assessment for national libraries for?
ISO 21248 on quality assessment for national libraries is useful for:
- National libraries
- Government
Why should you use ISO 21248 - Quality assessment for national libraries?
National libraries have special responsibilities, often defined in law, for a country’s cultural heritage. They collect and preserve the national documentary heritage and provide and ensure permanent access to the knowledge and culture of the past and present. They take a leading role in the library and information sector, often developing central services within that area.
ISO 21248 guidance on the use of performance indicators regarding the quality of services in national libraries and on methods for assessing the impact and value of national libraries.
ISO 21248 establishes a set of performance indicators that are adapted to the mission and functions of national libraries to prove the impact of national libraries on individuals, institutions, and society.