Library Quality Assurance Framework
What is the LQAF?
The current version of the NHS Library Quality Assurance Framework (LQAF) England is version 2.2 issued in April 2012. It is a tool to enable a robust quality assessment of NHS library/knowledge services. This version includes 2 new criteria on knowledge management. The LQAF was first issued in April 2010 (minor revision June 2010).
There is also an LQAF Briefing sheet that can be used to introduce the LQAF to the senior managers at NHS organisations. The LQAF is designed so that an organisation can assess its level of compliance to national standards and demonstrate the fitness for purpose that our 21st century health system demands.
It provides a clear focus for action planning across all NHS organisations, driving forward a quality improvement plan, offering clarity of direction for service managers and transparency of development to meet business and client need.
The LQAF is part of the work programme of the SHaLL Service Development Group. The LQAF was developed by a Task and Finish group consisting of Strategic Library Leads and library/knowledge service managers.
What does the LQAF assess?
The standards within the LQAF are set in 5 domains:
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Domain 1
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Strategic Management
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Domain 2
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Finance and Service Level Agreements
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Domain 3
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Human Resources and Staff Management
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Domain 4
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Infrastructure and Facilities
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Domain 5
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Library/Knowledge Services Service Delivery and Development (includes 2 new knowledge management criteria added April 2012)
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Each domain in the NHS Library Quality Assurance Framework (LQAF) England addresses an area of work, or activity, carried out by the library/knowledge service and each is made up of statements of criteria for assessment.
How will it be used to assess library/knowledge services?
There is a long and established history of the quality assessment of NHS library/knowledge services. Assessment against the criteria of the standards within the LQAF will enable each library/knowledge service to identify any gaps in their service management and provision so that these requirements can be built into their business and service planning.
NHS library/knowledge services will be asked to complete an annual audit. They will self-assess their service to give assurance that the standards are being met and that the evidence supports the compliance.
UPDATED 12 APRIL 2103
The self-assessment will use the Standards Assessment Tool (an Excel spreadsheet). Here are the two versions of the SAT - one with embedded guidance and the other without which can now be filtered on the Action Plan:
Please note: information can only be entered in blue cells. The grey cells are protected because they have the guidance in them. White and mauve cells are also protected.
If you see a message about the cell being protected and requesting a password then you are trying to enter something in the wrong coloured cell.
In addition service managers will be asked to identify examples of innovation within their service and complete the innovation template . Further information about what constitutes an innovation was revised for June 2012.
Further information will be available at www.libraryservices.nhs.uk/wiki/Innovations.MainPage.ashx
The results of the self-assesment and any nominations for innovation will be returned to their Strategic Library Lead.
For further information on how the LQAF will be implemented in your LETB area contact your local Strategic Library Lead.
Page Updated 12 April 2013