July 19, 2004

State Librarian Christie Pearson Brandau today announced that Michigan libraries may now apply on-line for their certificate of completion for the "essential" level of the Quality Services Advisory Committee's (QSAC) audit checklist.

Two years in the making, QSAC represents the work of more than 100 library directors, trustees and staff members who together created seven categories of quality measures for Michigan's library community.  The seven categories include human resources; governance/administration; services; collection development; technology; facilities and equipment; and public relations/marketing.

The QSAC audit checklist was formed for six key reasons.  Such measures:

• Help libraries gain credibility in their communities;
• Provide a shared vision for library service;
• Give library directors a powerful tool for educating staff and board members, government officials and the public;
• Display achievements with the current level of funding;
• Provide a base and explanation for increased funding; and
• Inspire libraries toward improved service statewide.
  

"Achieving QSAC's ‘essential' certification is the first step a library can take toward verifying the superior services it offers," said State Librarian Christie Pearson Brandau.  "Certification will give the library community a unified voice and help us earn and sustain credibility locally and on at the statewide level.  I hope every public library will take this opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to quality certification."

QSAC project coordinator Martha McKee said "essential" services include the relatively low-cost basics of library service that every library can and should achieve.  These guidelines are helpful to libraries just starting out, but also serve as a review for the more established institutions.  The Alabama Library Association describes them this way:  "Priority [essential] standards are those which should be achieved first because of their fundamental importance."

Within the "essential" level, there are two types of measures:  core and elective.  Core measures are considered basic quality library service and must be realized before that level of service can be achieved.  For example, setting by-laws for a library board is a core measure.  The second type of measure, elective, includes measures that are considered optional.  "For example," said McKee, "many libraries display local art, but this is not considered a core service."

Libraries that have already completed work on the "essential level" measures and wish to apply for certification can visit http://www.michigan.gov/QSAC. Application forms and sample press releases are available there. 

Libraries new to the QSAC process can visit http://www.plfig.org/qsac-committee.htm and read "Introduction to Quality Services."  For any follow-up questions or comments, project coordinator Martha McKee is available at mmckee@michigan.gov or (517) 241-2697.  Whether familiar with or brand new to the process, libraries are finding value in it.

"Our board spent a lot of time last year going through the QSAC recommendations.  We spent one board meeting on each of the categories, and we discussed each of the items under all of the levels to determine where we were and what we needed to do to improve," said Bob Dickson, director of the Mason County Library in Ludington.  "The whole exercise was interesting and prompted a lot of discussion on our board."

Later this year, the "enhanced" level of certification will be ready for online completion.  Addition of the "excellent" level criteria is scheduled for early 2005.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).   Dedicated to enriching the quality of life for Michigan residents by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, HAL also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center.  For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries.