RIA Library External Quality Review

This report outlines the proceedings of the external quality review for the Royal Irish Academy Library. The quality review was requested by the Academy Librarian for the purposes of gathering feedback for the future development of the library and library services. 

The Royal Irish Academy Library has an impressive reputation as a research resource in Ireland and internationally. It is a combination of reading, research and special collections library as well as a cultural institution with ambition to develop an online digital scholarship resource. Since the operations of the RIA are supported largely by Irish Exchequer funding and only in small part by RIA membership fees, there is an expectation that the Academy, and the Library, provide access to the general public whilst balancing the expectations of members. The External Quality Review Panel (EQRP) has identified a number of key findings in relation to areas of good practice operating within the RIA Library and areas which the Review Group would highlight as requiring future improvement. The main section of this Report sets out all observations, commendations and recommendations of the Review Group in more detail.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to and engaged so positively with the quality review process.