Call for Focus group participants

Call for Participants for a Focus Group on Developing a Bespoke Library Excellence Framework

At the 2025 M25 Conference, colleagues from the University of Bedfordshire delivered a lightning talk proposing that institutions may benefit more from developing a bespoke, institution-specific library excellence framework.

Developing this idea further, the University of Bedfordshire team have since published a Times Higher Education Campus article outlining what such a framework could include and why a more tailored model may offer greater value. The article can be found here: www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/how-develop-your-own-university-library-excellence-standard

The early model identifies ten areas that could form the basis of a bespoke framework:

Compliance
Staff development
Feedback
Data
Learning Resources
External dissemination
Policy and processes
Civic engagement
Communications

During the 2025/26 academic year, they will be piloting this approach at the University of Bedfordshire.

Recognising that many M25 member libraries are navigating similar pressures, including cost reduction, process efficiencies, and agile service improvement, the University has been awarded an M25 Innovation Fund to develop resources that will benefit M25 Consortium members. These will include:

a template library excellence framework
template training slides
template communications

Focus Group:
They are now seeking colleagues from across M25 member institutions to join a short online focus group to help inform the next phase of the project. We welcome participants from all library backgrounds.

Session details:

Format: 45‑minute online focus group in April 2026. Possible dates are: 21 April 4-5pm, 22 April at 1pm, 2pm or 3pm, 28 April at 1pm or 3pm
Platform: Zoom (hosted by M25)
Purpose: To gather insights that will shape the development of the framework.

If you would like to participate, please contact Jill Howard at: m25libadmin@london.ac.uk to express your interest.