GB-London: Library Assessment Strategy

The public library network in England is made up of 150 library services, each operating with their own distinct resources, capacity and skillsets. There is a huge variation in delivery models, which often comprise services delivered in-person, digitally and through various outreach programmes.

Data collection within the public library and archive sectors in England is currently ad-hoc, inconsistent and not particularly transparent. Library services often collect a variety of data but not a lot is known on a service-by-service basis about what is collected or how it is used. Similarly, while there are a number of other sources of data available, such as the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Library Statistics, the DCMS Open Data Project, Libraries Hacked's mobile library data and other more ad-hoc datasets collected by individual library authorities, how this data is utilised varies by service.

For example, linking if possible, to the following (this is not an exhaustive list),

1.How data exports are defined and standardised between library services (The DCMS library data schemas work)

2.How combined data can be used to deliver public information across multiple library services.

3.How data can be used to assess and accredit library services. (Libraries Connected accreditation project)

Arts Council England is seeking a consultant / consultants to develop an assessment strategy for the public library and archive sectors in England

Additional information: The contracting authority considers that this contract may be suitable for economic operators that are small or medium enterprises (SMEs). However, any selection of tenderers will be based solely on the criteria set out for the procurement.