Abstract:
A common theme emerging in the library world today is that quality
service in the library and information centre is dependent on the quality
performance of personnel. Prior to conducting performance appraisals,
managers need to ascertain the core performance criteria for quality
service provision. Research was conducted among subject librarians in
KwaZulu-Natal academic libraries to ascertain what key performance
areas (KPAs), job tasks and competencies were considered important in
the work of subject librarians. The purpose of the study was to develop
initial guidelines for performance appraisals of this group of librarians.
Using the survey method and the self-administered questionnaire,
findings indicated that performance appraisal guidelines would need to
take cognisance of the following KPAs of subject librarians' work:
Instruction and teaching, Reference services, Communication, Management
and organisation, Cataloguing and classification and Information
technology. The most important competencies identified were Interpersonal
skills, followed by Knowledge of the total information
environment.
Description:
Originally published in: Mousaion, Vol. 24, No. 1, 2006.
