Library employees' attitudes towards the measurement and appraisal of their work performance: Study in Estonian university libraries

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the current article is to clarify how the staff of Estonian university libraries define the concepts of performance and efficiency in the context of libraries, what is the general conception of performance measurement and evaluation, what impact it is believed to have on the personal future career, and how one's own efficiency and performance is evaluated in comparison with one's colleagues.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used in this paper are based on reviewing and summarizing of relevant literature to provide an overview of the concepts of performance and efficiency in general and in the context of the library as well as on results of the study, held in 2011/2012 in Estonian university libraries to determine the attitude of the libraries' staff towards work organisation and performance appraisal.

Findings

Although a number of Estonian university librarians highly evaluated performance measurement and appraisal as a possible source of information and feedback for improving their work performance and seeking out their further training and education needs, they unfortunately do not see any relation between performance improvement and their salary increase and career. As for the library as a whole, performance appraisal is profitable, although it is assumed that it might raise some problems. Efficiency and performance in the library context are rather associated with service and user satisfaction. Performance measurement and appraisal system in Estonia university libraries is almost non‐existent and definitely needs to be developed.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, no research has been previously carried out in the library context to determine library employees' attitudes towards their work organisation and coordination as well as measurement and appraisal of their work performance.

Citation

Kont, K. and Jantson, S. (2013), "Library employees' attitudes towards the measurement and appraisal of their work performance: Study in Estonian university libraries", Library Management, Vol. 34 No. 6/7, pp. 521-537. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-08-2012-0051