The Medical Library Association Benchmarking Network: development and implementation.
OBJECTIVE
This article explores the development and implementation of the Medical Library Association (MLA) Benchmarking Network from the initial idea and test survey, to the implementation of a national survey in 2002, to the establishment of a continuing program in 2004. Started as a program for hospital libraries, it has expanded to include other nonacademic health sciences libraries.


METHODS
The activities and timelines of MLA's Benchmarking Network task forces and editorial board from 1998 to 2004 are described.


RESULTS
The Benchmarking Network task forces successfully developed an extensive questionnaire with parameters of size and measures of library activity and published a report of the data collected by September 2002. The data were available to all MLA members in the form of aggregate tables. Utilization of Web-based technologies proved feasible for data intake and interactive display. A companion article analyzes and presents some of the data. MLA has continued to develop the Benchmarking Network with the completion of a second survey in 2004.


CONCLUSIONS
The Benchmarking Network has provided many small libraries with comparative data to present to their administrators. It is a challenge for the future to convince all MLA members to participate in this valuable program.
Dudden
Rosalind Farnam
RF
Gerald Tucker Memorial Medical Library, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson Street Denver, Colorado 80206, USA. duddenr@njc.org
Corcoran
Kate
K
Kaplan
Janice
J
Magouirk
Jeff
J
Rand
Debra C
DC
Smith
Bernie Todd
BT
D026683:Advisory Committees / Q000458:organization & administration; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007996:Library Associations / Q000592:standards*; D010934:Planning Techniques; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D014481:United States