OVERCOMING THE INADEQUACIES OF PERFORMANCE-MEASUREMENT IN LOCAL-GOVERNMENT - THE CASE OF LIBRARIES AND LEISURE SERVICES

What strategy could boost performance measurement in local government beyond the current level that finds most cities predominantly reporting new raw workload figures, if they report any performance indicators whatsoever? The author argues that increased emphasis of relevant performance comparisons-with other local governments and with appropriate standards-could capture media and citizen attention and thereby prompt greater accountability. Evidence is presented showing that relevant standards and actual performance figures suitable for comparative purposes, though hardly plentiful, do exist in selected municipal functions.