EFQM Seal

The EFQM Seal is the only international certification that recognizes excellent, innovative, and sustainable management in organizations through an evaluation based on the EFQM Model. This global strategic evaluation provides a comprehensive view of the organization’s management, helping to strengthen its capabilities and identify areas for improvement. 

In March 2025, the SBD obtained the EFQM 500 Quality Seal, with a score of 576 points, an achievement that consolidates its position as a benchmark in quality management, innovation and sustainability. Awarded by the European Foundation for Quality Management and the Club de Excelencia en Gestión (CEG), this seal is one of the highest awards for excellence granted in Europe and positions the SBD as a benchmark for quality. The seal supports the commitment of the University of Valencia in the promotion and development of a culture of excellence..

Evaluation history 

On its path to excellence, innovation, and sustainability, the SBD began working in 2010 on implementing its quality management system, as part of Strategic Line 1 of the 2010 Library Sector Plan, within the University of Valencia's Strategic Plan [2008-2011]. The EFQM model was adopted as a reference. 

The Quality Committee was formed and, after a training period, began working in collaboration with the University of Valencia’s Quality Unit. 

Over the years, the Committee has focused on three key areas necessary for any self-evaluation process: 

• defining the process map, 
• drafting the service’s key processes, and 
• conducting annual satisfaction surveys for users (PDI and students) and opinion surveys for service staff (PTGAS) since 2011. 

The processes that make up the map and the survey results can be consulted on the SBD website. 

The Library Service (SBD) conducted its first self-evaluation process in 2017, aiming to obtain a complete picture of its strengths, weaknesses, and, above all, opportunities for improvement in the organization and management of the Service. 

The SBD carried out an evaluation process beginning in 2021, consisting of several phases: the second internal self-assessment, the preparation of the EFQM Report submitted for the Seal of Excellence application, and the external evaluation conducted on October 25-26, 2021. 

As a result, the University of Valencia libraries obtained the EFQM 400 Seal of Excellence, Innovation, and Sustainability, as well as the international 4-star organization recognition, awarded by the European Foundation for Quality Management and the Club of Excellence in Management (CEG). 

In 2023, the third self-assessment process was carried out, proposing six improvement projects to be developed throughout 2023 and 2024. Each project was organized with a project leader and a team composed of staff from different libraries and archives. The projects are structured as follows: 

1. Sustainable future 
2. Culture and leadership 
3. Stakeholder engagement 
4. Impact of the value proposition 
   1. Communication 
   2. Sustainable Development Goals and corporate social responsibility 
5. Measurement and results