BS ISO 11620-2023 PDF

Full title and description

STB BS ISO 11620-2023 — Information and documentation — Library performance indicators. This publication is the British adoption (BS ISO) of the fourth edition of ISO 11620 (2023) and specifies requirements, definitions and a set of standardized performance indicators that libraries of all types can use to measure, report and improve service performance.

Abstract

This standard specifies the requirements of a performance indicator for libraries and establishes a set of indicators to be used by libraries of all types. It provides standardized terminology and concise definitions, detailed descriptions of individual indicators, and guidance on data collection and analysis. The document is intended to support implementation of performance measurement while acknowledging that not all indicators are applicable to all libraries.

General information

• Status: Published.
• Publication date: June 2023 (Edition 4).
• Publisher: British Standards Institution (BSI) — adoption of ISO 11620:2023; original international publisher: ISO (International Organization for Standardization).
• ICS / categories: 01.140.20 (Information science; libraries).
• Edition / version: 4th edition (2023).
• Number of pages: 135 (ISO published record).

Scope

ISO 11620:2023 applies to performance measurement in all types of libraries and establishes a framework and a set of indicators for assessing library performance. The scope includes guidance on selecting indicators, their objectives, limitations, data collection protocols and analysis. The standard notes that individual indicators may not be applicable to every library and that careful interpretation and contextualisation are required when comparing libraries. Annex material lists applicability limitations for specific indicators.

Key topics and requirements

• Criteria and requirements that a performance indicator must meet to be included (selection criteria and quality requirements for indicators).
• Standardized terminology and concise definitions (e.g., active user, active borrower, access, digital collection) to improve comparability.
• Detailed indicator descriptions: name, objective/background, definition, scope, data collection method, reporting and analysis guidance.
• Descriptive framework and presentation model (includes a Balanced Scorecard approach to present indicators across multiple perspectives).
• Guidance on selection, limitations and interpretation of indicators; separation of performance measurement from broader impact assessment.
• Emphasis on data quality, consistent definitions and caution when making inter-library comparisons — comparisons over time within the same library are preferred.

Typical use and users

Library managers, quality and performance officers, statisticians working in library services, national and regional library authorities, academic and public library networks, auditors and consultants use this standard to design KPIs, collect consistent data, benchmark performance (with caution) and report on service delivery. It is also used by researchers and policy makers interested in objective measures of library activity and service quality.

Related standards

Closely related ISO standards include ISO 2789 (International library statistics), which provides rules for collection and reporting of library statistics required by performance indicators, and ISO 16439 (Methods and procedures for assessing the impact of libraries), which addresses broader impact assessment methods complementary to performance measurement. All three are produced under ISO/TC 46/SC 8.

Keywords

library performance indicators, KPIs, library metrics, performance measurement, library statistics, Balanced Scorecard, active user, circulation, digital access, data quality, ISO 11620.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 11620:2023 (published as BS ISO 11620:2023 when adopted by BSI) is the international standard that defines library performance indicators and how to apply them for measuring library service performance.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the requirements for individual performance indicators, a standardized terminology and definitions, detailed descriptions of indicators including data collection and analysis guidance, and advice on selecting and using indicators (including their limitations). It distinguishes routine performance measurement from broader impact assessment.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Library managers and staff responsible for planning, evaluation and reporting; national and regional library statisticians; quality managers; researchers and consultants working on library metrics and benchmarking.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: Current. ISO 11620:2023 is the 4th edition published in June 2023; it replaces earlier editions (for example ISO 11620:2014).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the suite of ISO standards on information and documentation managed by ISO/TC 46/SC 8. It is commonly used together with ISO 2789 (library statistics) and ISO 16439 (library impact assessment) to provide a comprehensive approach to measurement and reporting.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Library performance indicators, metrics, KPIs, library statistics, Balanced Scorecard, active user, circulation, digital services, data comparability.