| This study examined quality assurance models currently used in 54 Thai academic libraries under the supervision of Thailand's Ministry of University Affairs. Questionnaires were completed by all academic libraries and cases studies prepared based on this information and interviews conducted at four ISO 9000 certified academic libraries to investigate the ISO 9000 implementation and certification process. Factors that facilitated and hindered the ISO 9000 implementation process were investigated. Additionally, the benefits and challenges of the ISO 9000 implementation process were examined from the perspectives of the senior librarians.; The results indicated that several quality assurance approaches had been utilized in Thai academic libraries: a self-accreditation approach, ISO 9000 model, the Ministry of University Affairs model, Total Quality Management, benchmarking and a self-developed model. Twenty libraries had implemented quality assurance approaches and most other Thai academic libraries were planning to develop and implement quality assurance systems/approaches in the future. The most popular choice was ISO 9000. Eight Thai academic libraries were utilizing ISO 9000, and four of them received ISO 9002 certification.; The most important reasons for choosing ISO 9002 as quality assurance model in Thai academic libraries were to standardize and to improve library service quality. Funding support, high level of commitment, and the attitude of administrators were perceived as critical factors affecting the success of ISO 9002 implementation. Whereas high costs, documentation work, excess time demands, and a lack of ISO 9002 training were perceived as major obstacles.; The accountability to their parent institutions, promoting a good image, improving services, and increasing quality awareness of library personnel were important benefits from ISO 9002 certification. Good business practices; evaluation tools; elimination of duplication of activities; creating a formal training system; and employee involvement and participation were perceived as the strength of ISO 9002. On the other hand, the perceived challenge in addition to the obstacles to implementation was the difficulty in adapting the generic ISO 9000 system requirement to library work.; ISO 9002 (1994 version) was indicated as suitable for academic libraries. However, the question of whether ISO 9000 is the best fit for academic libraries in pursuing and assuring quality has yet to be satisfactorily answered.; The road to quality for Thai academic libraries has not ended. There are still other business quality assurance models that Thai academic libraries are interested in implementing, such as TQM, and benchmarking. Regardless of the models, this indicates that academic libraries in Thailand are eager to pursue quality in their libraries. |
