Evaluation and decision making in a university library from performance indicators

Abstract

The purpose of using performance indicators in Brazilian university libraries is to provide information for decision making and to
promote quality in the educational system. We analyzed the performance indicators used in 95 university libraries. Among them,
the relevance of the indicators and their use in the decision-making process was assessed. The performance evaluation models
were the performance indicators for the evaluation of university libraries based on “International Organization for Standardization
11.620/2008 Information and documentation – Library performance indicators”. It was evidenced that indicators are relevant for
decision making. However, there is a discrepancy between their use and relevance. The set of indicators applied to university
libraries is usually the same as those proposed by the Ministry of Education. An adequate management of the performance
indicators and the application in the decision-making process promote the quality of the offered products and, therefore, the
quality of the education of the higher education institutions.