Ivy Library : http://www.ivylibrary.com/services/strategic-planning/benchmarking

Case Study:

DeKalb County Public Library

The DeKalb County Public Library in Georgia had made numerous attempts to obtain adequate funding. The County had a well-established history of providing the funding for capital projects, but failing to provide the Library with the funding necessary to operate the facilities.

As part of a strategic planning process, Ivy Library conducted a benchmarking study to compare the performance and resources of the DeKalb County Public Library with peer libraries in the southeastern United States. Analysis of the data demonstrated that the Library lagged behind its peers in almost every category. This information was included in the strategic plan and used to make the case with County Commissioners for budget increases.

How GOOD is our Library? Who's BEST? What do we have to do to be BETTER?

Ivy Library will conduct extensive primary and secondary research that facilitates your thinking about the future.

Benchmarking provides statistical measures by which libraries can assess their current situation and set goals. In long–range planning, benchmarking is the most reliable tool for a detailed analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT).

Ivy Library brings broad-based experience to the benchmarking process. We not only work with libraries to benchmark against similar libraries but also encourage and facilitate critical assessments with non-library organizations. This kind of comparative/competitive analysis is especially useful when evaluating customer service, merchandising, and marketing of library products and services.

Contact Ivy Library

Please call 1-800-IVY-1250 for more information about our services or visit www.ivygroup.com to learn about our parent company, The Ivy Group, Ltd.