Edge Benchmarks

Christa Burns & Richard MillerTechnology Planning Summer Camp 2:

Don’t Just Survive, Thrive!

Key Benefits of Edge benchmarks

• Assess library’s public access technology

• Pinpoint areas for improvement or investment

• Increase understanding – how public access technology supports community goals

• Generate data for support and fundraising

What is a Benchmark?

A standard by which something can be measured or judged

What is Benchmarking?

To measure (a rival’s product) according to specified standards in order to compare it with and improve one’s own product

Benchmarking

The process of comparing one’s business processes and performance metrics to industry bests or best practices from other industries. In the process management identifies the best firms in their industry and compares the results and processes of those “targets” to one’s own results and processes.

In this way they learn how well the targets perform and, more importantly, the business processes that explain why these firms are successful.

What we know about Nebraskans:

• You don’t tend to take things at face value; you want proof

• No amount of “spin doctoring” will convince you that you should do something

• You like to avoid anything you perceive as bureaucratic (unless, in the end, it is useful)

• You’re likely reserving your judgment about the Edge initiative currently

Our goals for today:

• Persuade you to consider Edge a useful tool

• Get you to look at Edge website and see what appeals to you

• Convince you – Edge is not an all-or-nothing thing (and you’ve already met some of the benchmarks!)

Video of Crystal Schimpf, trainer from Colorado State Library,

sharing her thoughts on being a part of the Edge Initiative

http://vimeo.com/40882901

Technology in Small, Rural Libraries

Points from Colorado BTOP Trainer:

• Providing technology in rural libraries is a challenge

• Edge benchmarks set the bar high

• No need to tackle all benchmarks at once; choose 3 or 4 and accomplish them one at a time

• A step at a time adds up to progress

The Edge Coalition• Led by a coalition of leading library/government organizations:

o ALA Office for Information Technology Policyo Public Library Associationo LYRASISo OCLC-WebJunctiono Urban Libraries Councilo Bill & Melinda Gates Foundationo International City/County Management Associationo TechSoup Globalo University of Washingtono University of Marylando California State Libraryo Oklahoma Dept. of Librarieso Texas State Library & Archives Commission

Structure of Edge Benchmarks

• 3 main categories that assess:

–Community value

– Engaging community and decision makers

–Organization management

Each Category contains:

Benchmarks

Indicators

Categories: Benchmarks & Indicators

• Community value – 6 benchmarks & 12 indicators

• Engaging the community & decision makers – 3 benchmarks & 4 indicators

• Organizational management – 5 benchmarks & 13 indicators

What are Indicators?

Statements that allow a library to measure its progress in achieving a benchmark

Example: under Organizational Management:Benchmark 12: “Libraries have sufficient devices and bandwidth to accommodate user demand”)Indicator 12.1: “The library has a sufficient number of device hours available on a per capita basis.”

So why should I use the Edge Benchmarks?

Because they can help me (and my board):– improve service– convince funders to reinvest in library

technology–provide improved content to my customers– address community needs and goals– strengthen the position of the library in my

community

THE GOOD NEWSis

As a BTOP library, you’ve already reached some of the benchmarks (or you will soon):

• With community college training (Benchmark 1)

• With Department of Labor information (Benchmark 3)

• With State Court Administrator’s Office training and information (Benchmark 4)

• With NLM/McGoogan Library of Medicine training and resources (Benchmark 6)

• With increased bandwidth from BTOP/E-rate funding (Benchmark 12)

• With the ADA workstation (Benchmark 14)

So let’s revisit our goals for this presentation:

• Persuade you to consider Edge a useful tool• Get you to look at Edge website and see what

appeals to you• Convince you – Edge is not an all-or-nothing

thing (and you’ve already met some of the benchmarks!)

Have we accomplished these goals?

To find out more and to participate:

Web page: www.libraryedge.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LibraryEdge

Twitter: @LibraryEdge

E-mail: info@libraryedge.org

QUESTIONS?

Christa Burns – christa.burns@nebraska.gov

Richard Miller – richard.miller@nebraska.gov

Telephone: 800-307-2665