The use of selected management techniques in personnel evaluation and personnel development programs in public libraries

The purpose of this empirical investigation was to ascertain, analyze, and compare the actual and potential application of selected management techniques to personnel evaluation and personnel development programs in public libraries. The study was exploratory and descriptive.;The objectives of this research were to (1) document the actual and potential applications of specific management techniques in public libraries, (2) determine the application of formal personnel development and personnel evaluation programs in the surveyed libraries, and (3) examine reasons why these libraries are not using or do not anticipate using specific personnel evaluation and personnel development management techniques.;Data collected by a direct mail questionnaire was designed to elicit information about the actual and potential use of the management techniques and the existence of formal personnel evaluation and personnel development programs.;Ten multi-part hypotheses were tested by means of statistical procedures frequently used for nominal data. Chi-square tests were undertaken where appropriate to determine whether identified variables are independent or associated. For variables which are associated at the significance level of 0.05 or less, measures of strength of association, phi or Cramer's V, are reported along with chi-square. Important findings are emphasized and possible interpretations and implications for public libraries are discussed.;General research findings, based on reports by responding libraries, suggest overall receptiveness to the programs and techniques examined. This is evident in the number of affirmative responses to both present and potential utilization of these programs. A larger number of libraries reported the use of formal personnel development programs than would have been anticipated based on references in the literature. Even larger proportions employed selected techniques which may serve as component parts of formal programs. In fact, the prospects for potential utilization of these programs among respondents not presently using them appear to be very good. Personnel evaluation programs were found to be universal in the public libraries surveyed and fifty-one of the libraries reported having a formal personnel development program.