How we'll measure success
Success requires metrics that go far beyond traditional library measures. We will track outcomes, not just outputs.
Our measurement framework aligns with the five themes and demonstrates progress toward the six transformations.
Student Success Metrics
- NSS scores: top quartile of Russell Group by 2030
- NSS scores for library services overall: 90 to 95% satisfaction by 2032
- Digital service accessibility: 100% mobile-optimised by 2028
- Student diversity metrics: Library usage matching institutional demographics
- Student voice integration: consultation mechanisms in every major project
- Barriers eliminated: annual audit with action plans and measurable reduction
- Library teaching: number of credit-bearing taught hours, information and digital literacy reach, and Special Collections teaching engagement tracked and growing year-on-year toward a target of every undergraduate programme having embedded Library-led teaching by 2030
Research Impact Metrics
- Open Access compliance: 100% for eligible publications by 2029
- Research data publishing: 50% increase year-on-year through 2030
- Special collections research use: tracked through citations, exhibitions, collaborations
- Platform integration: embedded in all four research platforms by 2028
- Research grant income: Library-led or Library-partnered grants tracked and growing
- Impact case study contributions: documented Library role in REF submissions
Civic and Social Impact Metrics
- Community partnerships: number, depth, and mutual benefit assessed through partner surveys
- Social mobility outcomes: educational attainment and employment in partnership populations
- Digital inclusion: users supported to develop digital confidence, measured through assessment
- RACE Centre reach: programme participation, scholarship supported, community impact
- Civic engagement: participation in Library programming by Manchester residents
- Economic impact: documented contribution to city and regional economy
Organisational Health Metrics
- Staff engagement: maintained above 50% for policy influence through Distributed Leadership Model
- Diversity and inclusion: staff demographics towards matching Manchester demographics
- Progression equity: no differential progression rates by protected characteristics
- Professional development: 100% of staff with protected CPD time and annual plans
- Carbon literacy: 100% of staff carbon literate by 2035
- AI and digital capabilities: 100% of staff with foundational AI and digital capabilities training by 2027
- Wellbeing: tracked through staff surveys and absence data with year-on-year improvement
Infrastructure and Sustainability Metrics
- Carbon footprint: year-on-year reduction in digital and physical emissions
- Sustainable procurement: 100% of major contracts assessed for environmental impact
- Strategic storage: integrated University cultural institutions storage solution delivered
- Digital infrastructure resilience: uptime, recovery time, geographic distribution
- Main Library Project: space satisfaction moving from bottom to top quartile Russell Group
Partnership and Influence Metrics
- International reach: documented engagement in priority regions with concrete outcomes
- British Pop Archive: New York launch success, touring exhibition reach, donor cultivation
- Philanthropic income: tracked year-on-year with unrestricted giving prioritised
- Sector leadership: speaking invitations, sector citations, peer adoption of innovations
- University partnership satisfaction: regular surveys of internal stakeholders
- One Library integration: reduction in friction points, increase in cross-team collaboration
- Open Educational Resources and Flip to Open: number of courses transitioned, reach measured against the 100,000 student total
These metrics will be published annually through our Transparency Dashboard in reports that show progress, acknowledge setbacks, and explain course corrections.