How good is our public library service operates using a six point scale.
Awarding levels requires considerable professional knowledge both on the part of the library service itself as they create the Self-Evaluation Report and on the part of the Peer Assessors during their visit. The starting point for allocating levels should always be positive, using a combination of the evidence. There should be sound arguments to support the level, backed up with evidence.
Excellent
- Clearly excellent and of the highest of standards.
- Very best practice worth disseminating widely beyond the service.
- Users' experiences and achievements are of a very high quality.
- Outstanding delivery of core functions and range of enhanced services.
Very Good
- Major strengths.
- A high standard of provision, examples of good practice to share.
- Any weaknesses do not impact on users' experience.
- Services will take opportunities to improve and strive to raise performance to excellent.
Good
- Important strengths that have a positive impact.
- Few weakenesses that do not have a substantial adverse effect.
- Some examples of good practice.
- Services seeking to raise performance further, and addressing areas of improvement.
Satisfactory
- Provision where strengths just outweigh weaknesses.
- Individuals have access to core service provision.
- Strengths have a positive impact on individuals' experiences, while weakenesses have some adverse affects on user experienes.
- Services will seek to address areas of improvement while building on strengths.
Weak
- Weaknesses have a negative imapct on the quality of individuals' experiences.
- Such weaknesses diminish individuals' experiences in significant ways.
- The service will need to take structured and planned action to address weakenesses.
Unsatisfactory
- Major weaknesses in provision.
- These weaknesses will require immediate remedial action.
- Individuals' experience is at risk in significant aspects.
- Improvement requires strategic action and support from senior managers.
- Remedial action may involve work alongside other staff and agencies.