Australian prison libraries: minimum standard guidelines

10. Performance assessment

10.1 Given that the present guidelines are of necessity brief, the point of reference for further elaboration shall be Towards a quality service: goals, objectives and standards for public libraries in Australia (ALIA, 1990). This will be so for matters which, in the opinion of the Library Services Manager, are common to both kinds of libraries.

The value of the public libraries standards in this respect will apply only while they are kept up to date.

10.2 Library service needs of the inmate population shall be kept under regular review. In this respect a library advisory committee composed of individuals from all institutional components, including the inmate population, may be helpful. Statistical records should also be kept to assist in monitoring the effectiveness of library services.

10.3 An annual evaluation of library services shall be conducted with reference to the stated performance goals and objectives of the prison library service. This evaluation shall be made by the library services manager or another professional librarian of equivalent standing.