“Because you have to build…” – Developments and results of the quality management service of the Hungarian Library Institute (2017–2020)

Abstract

It is a service of the Hungarian Library Institute (HLI) to manage quality development in the Hungarian library system. In 2017, the Ministry of Human Capacities issued a decree (33/2017.(XII.12.)) that opened a new chapter in the history of quality management in libraries in Hungary. HLI has inherited a system that had been consciously built for decades, and was placed on a solid foundation. It became, however, necessary and inevitable for HLI to approach its tasks from a new point of view, with a new attitude. In the course of work, the goal was never to destroy, but to build – on an understanding of changing needs and using librarians’ growing expertise. The article covers the developments and results in the period December 2017 to September 2020, from the emergence of this task to the establishment of a responsible department at HLI. The issues discussed are: partnerships, elaboration of KMÉR (Quality Assessment System for Libraries), self-­evaluation, the Hungarian Libraries Database, invitations for grant proposals, back­ground processes, training days and the changes in these fields.