What we do

Work with Libraries

Quality in Libraries Award

The Quality in Libraries Award was based on the two Quality Marks developed by the Basic Skills Agency, which provided a framework for raising standards of literacy and numeracy in schools and in adult basic skills programmes.

The Quality in Libraries Award sets out a framework, focusing on effectiveness and entitlement. It has 10 elements, and an individual library has to meet all of the elements to gain the Quality in Libraries Award. The assessment process requires the library to produce a portfolio of evidence which can include, for example, publicity, photographs, staff development records, policies and notes of meetings.

The first and most important element is the first - "A strategy, including an action plan, to improve standards of literacy, language and numeracy." This provides the evidence for a number of the elements within the Quality in Libraries Award.

The assessment process also includes an interview with the librarian who has responsibility for Skills for Life and another, randomly selected member of staff. This member of staff leads a tour round the library, and is asked about the systems for, for example, an Urdu speaker, an adult with poor literacy skills, or someone who has never been in a library before.

In August 2003 Sandiacre Library, in South Derbyshire, became the first library to gain the Quality in Libraries Award, following a commitment in May. Since then then all 45 static libraries in Derbyshire and all libraries in Leicester City have gained the QLA.

The Award has undergone a comprehensive re-write to include the development of specific courses on Skills For Life Awareness for library staff, specific training on locating and recommending relevant stock, work on Reader Development for adults who may have Skills for Life needs and the purchase of new stock.

The Award has also been adapted for use in other library settings:

• In September 2006 the first Prison Library in the country - Sudbury - achieved the QLA in record time - 3 weeks. staff were presented with their certificate at the National Annual Prison Library Group Conference in Cheltenham. The ROWA! assessors were 'wowed' by the efforts and motivation of the library staff and the input, involvement and enthusiasm of the library orderlies.
• Recently, the first secondary school library at Brookfield Community School, Chesterfield, became the first school library to achieve the QLA and will be presented with their award at a celebration in October 2007.