Branching Out > Best Value > Showing Best Value in RD Projects



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Showing Best Value in Reader Development Projects Branching Out librarians analysed 6 key projects in terms of the 4 Cs - Challenge, Compare, Consult and Compete - and the aim of continuous improvement. The statements made under each project make claims, all of which can be justified, for the benefits of reader development. A Best Value Review may not set out to examine individual reader projects in this way but it is still important to be able to articulate how reader-centred work meets the requirements and the spirit of the Best Value process. Select the project you wish to see expressed in terms of Best Value: Book Forager Task One Write one statement under each of the four Cs which makes a claim for this reader development project. Challenge To introduce and prove that there is an important, useful and exciting connection between ICT and Reader Development Partnership to do something well. Compare Paper-based services such as the Fiction Index, Who Writes Like or Asking a Librarian or Person to Person recommendations. None of these could fulfil the intention of Forager. Consult It was Market Tested with readers and librarians Compete Nothing as good, created a new market. Forager has a unique entry point. [top] Task Two How can you use the Best Value process to improve this reader development project? NB Imaginary/Real Challenge Is to keep it fresh and keep it being noticed, the promotion constant. In Put - Standard maintained. System of incentives for more entries and more librarians trained Compare Continually compare with new web-sites - look at competition. To keep it special. Consult Build in feed back page Comments Add reader comments Compete Driven to sell Do not have to buy the books Free to take a risk Links are possible but controlled. In terms of free - use social inclusion Different method of accessing filters For visually impaired - needs a programming rethink. (social inclusion gay/black European fiction) [top] Loud and Proud Task One Write a statement under each of the four Cs which makes a claim for this reader development project. Challenge This reader development project will challenge traditional library staff and readers attitudes towards the lesbian and gay communities. Challenged stock selection policies. Targeted a specific audience. Compare This reader development project will compare usage according to different presentation and locations of stock (pre and post promotion). Consult This reader development project will consult with members and management, staff and library users and gay and lesbian focus groups. Compete This reader development project will investigate provision of lesbian and gay material in other outlets. [top] Task Two How can you use the Best Value process to improve this reader development project? By changing staffs perceptions and stereotypes (training and development) By making the promotion accessible to all members of the community, make it a system within an authority and not a library promotion. [top] Open Ticket Task One Write one statement under each of the four Cs which makes a claim for this reader development project. Challenge To overcome reader and librarians prejudice re: world literature and literature in translation. Demonstrate that they would with proper promotion and support deliver issues. Compare Library culture/ethos Commercial culture Put libraries in corporate/commercial sector Consult We were a group that were consulted with re: publicity, etc. Training - with other library staff Compete Well Worth Reading - Life on Earth Commercial sector in terms of quality of promotional material Website - set a standard, benchmark. [top] Task Two How can you use the Best Value process to improve this reader development project? Improve consultation particularly with customers - building on open ticket evaluation via reading group, website, etc. More realistic timescale so we could consult, include readers re: selection, test graphics more extensively. Create effective partnership with bookshops extend the possibilities for sponsorship Reach non-users more effectively. We'd want to set targets [top] A Touch Of Task One Write one statement under each of the four Cs which makes a claim for this reader development project. Challenge It challenges people's perception of visually impaired readers. It challenges visually impaired readers to try something new and throws down a challenge to librarians and publishers to change range of material. Compare Compare the availability of material in large print and audio for visually impaired with availability of material in standard formats. It will enhance performance of promoted and non-promoted books. Consult Involved consultation with different providers and suppliers (Partner organisations) - local 'Touch Of'. Compete Individual local project had to compete for the funding - Ground breaking in that there's very little with which to compete. [top] Task Two How can you use the Best Value process to improve this reader development project? Review the effectiveness of project, consult with visually impaired readers/library staff to evaluate promotion. Link with: Lifelong learning Social inclusion ICT? - Fiction Café/BOUT site What improvements? Suppliers provide wider range of stock end product. [top] Book of the Month Task One Write one statement under each of the four Cs which makes a claim for this reader development project. Challenge Justifying investment in purchase of multiple copies (from unknown/contemporary authors) and first time novelists. Compare Performance of Book of the Month title v Control copy in ordinary Stock Issues Promotional techniques Consult Staff training/users questionnaires/Reading Groups (eg author event) Compete Currency! Book available at time of publication therefore compete with bookshops [top] Task Two How can you use the Best Value process to improve this reader development project? Continue to monitor issues /customer appeal/review locations Reader consultation Expand number of collections, supplier base. [top] *unclassified* Task One Write one statement under each of the four Cs which makes a claim for this reader development project. Challenge Challenging traditional perceptions of stock and presentation. Compare Using bookshop as a model for presentation/techniques to broaden our readership. Consult Building monitoring, evaluation and consultation in to Unclassified. Compete Creating new readers for contemporary fiction in a cost-effective way. [top] Task Two How can you use the Best Value process to improve this reader development project? Reviewing effectiveness of training and concept. Sustainability, monitor and evaluate to improve collection. Further involvement in Outreach work. Direct involvement for public (readers) in fiction selection?