436 ICAL 2009 – MANAGEMENT MODELS AND FRAMEWORK Abstract The aim of this research is to study the guideline which develops the academic library into a quality organization. The objectives of this study are (1) to study the features of the academic library as a quality organization (2) to study the factors and related parameters affecting the development of the academic library to be a quality organization; and (3) to find the pathway to develop a academic library into a quality organization. There are three periods of data collection. The first period was to review the features of the academic library as a quality organization and the factors affecting the development of such issues by using an in-depth interview with the experts and related people. The second period was the empirical study of academic libraries in the framework of quality organizations including the development factors by using questionnaires with the groups of administrators and the staff which involved 180 people from 56 libraries from government and private universities. The third period analyzed the findings from the first and second periods to define characteristics of quality organizations for academic library and determine the pathways to build a quality organization. Finally, the results from the research study will be affirmed by the professionals and related people. From the study, there are seven features to consider the academic library as a quality organization: (1) standard (2) physical sources (3) human resources (4) financial resources (5) information resources (6) work process; and (7) excellence service. In addition, there are also seven factors to develop an education library into a quality organization: (1) leaders (2) staff (3) policies (4) budget (5) users (6) cooperation; and (7) organization cultures. Nonetheless, the research findings are still in the process of features defining and affirmation by the professionals and related people. Keywords: Academic Library, Quality organization, Academic library development. Background and Significance of the Problem Higher education is the most significant in terms of education of the country. In the 20 th Century when the Features and Development Factors of the Academic Library as a Quality Organization Sumattra Saenwa Resaerch Scholar in Information Studies, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Khon Kaen University, Thailand Sujin Butdisuwan Assistant Professor, Department of Library and Information Sciences Mahasarakham University Chaweeluck Bunyakanchana Professor, Department of Library and Information Sciences, Mahasarakham University Surithong Srisa-Ard Director of the Academic Resource Center, Mahasarakham University society and the economy changed into the ‘Knowledge-Based Society and Economy’, ‘human resource’ has become a center of information and knowledge development and distribution for adjustment with the changing environment. Therefore, the higher education institutions play the important role in human resource development to serve the needs of improving the efficiency and quality in all aspects of the people in the country. (W. Intornpinthuwat, 1998; Office of National Education Council, 1999; Office of National Education Council, 2001; S. Kamman, 2001; T. Sirisampan, 2006) According to the analysis of the current situation of higher education in Thailand, it was found that there is a crisis in both quality and quantity. Though the quantity has shown great increase, the quality has been decreasing dramatically with the result that ‘Knowledge-Based Society and Economy’ still cannot be achieved as the goal. The higher education institutions need to reform and develop both the teaching approach and educational management due to the requirement of the state’s education reformation policy that aims to create the required human resources. (Office of National Education Council, 1998; Office of Higher Education Council, 2001). Due to this requirement, Ministry of University Affairs has declared the policies and means of Educational Quality Assurance of the higher education institutions to maintain and control the standard and quality of higher education. In this matter, the library is one of the key factors of this development (Ministry of University Affair, 1997) as a center of learning for learners, teachers, and researchers. Thus, the library is a significant part of the educational organization which contributes and supports the learning environment resulting learning achievement. (Owusu- Ansah, 2001 Simmond and Syd, 2001). Therefore, all aspects concerning development and quality achievement are crucial since the quality of the library is one of the key factors in higher education institutions primary development. (P. Thongroj, 1998).