Performance appraisal in academic libraries: minor changes or major renovation?

Abstract

Performance appraisals generally occur to provide documentation for current and future personnel decisions such as promotions, salary increases, staff development, and disciplinary reasons. After surveying library literature, it is apparent that most academic library administrations implement some type of performance appraisal, but a disparity exists regarding the process itself, the ultimate goals sought and those actually achieved. This situation emanates from the lack of objectives adhered to in conducting performance appraisals. This article will address the diversity existent in the performance appraisal process and the reasons for these differences.

Employee performance appraisal system development in the National Library and Archives of Iran (NLAI): soft operational research approach

“…In the following, the leading studies in this field are mentioned. Edwards and Williams (1998), in their research on performance appraisal in academic libraries, found that performance appraisals generally occur to provide documentation for current and future personnel decisions such as promotions, salary increases, staff development and disciplinary reasons. Aforo and Antwi (2012) research key findings indicated academic libraries apply a performance appraisal system comprising setting of goals, feedback, participation and incentives for performance.…”

إستراتیجیات إدارة الانطباع وأداء العاملین بالفنادق: هل توجد علاقة؟

“…According to Randell (1994), performance appraisal can be characterized as "the procedure whereby current performance in a job is observed and discussed for the purpose of adding to that level of performance". Edwards and Williams (1998) claimed that performance appraisal include the way toward assessing the performance and behavior of employees in the context of their specific positions of employment. The behaviors analyzed should be tangible, objective components of the individual"s job and should not include subjective, evaluative statements that focus on personality.…”

The librarianship portfolio

“…The published literature of library science has been relatively light on discussing of professional evaluation, and appraisals are often presented as a painful, if necessary, part of the toolbox of library management (Edwards and Williams, 1998).…”