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The purpose of this paper is to measure the competencies of libraries in Nigerian universities, identify constraints to their performance and recommend infrastructures and competencies required. Institutional accreditation has compelled academic libraries in Nigerian to improve their quality, competencies and performances for accountability.

A questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. The population of the study was all the university librarians in the 89 universities in Nigeria that the author selected from federal, state and private universities. Of the 81 sets of questionnaires emailed, 49 were returned, which represents a 60.5 per cent response rate and provides the working population of the study. Data were analysed using frequency tables, simple percentages and bar charts.

The results indicate that academic libraries and librarians in Nigeria are competent in three key areas – educational roles, professional development and research. However, they are not very effective in the provision and use of library resources in cyberspace, adequate funding, collection development and information technology skills. The main constraints are: poor Internet penetration, low bandwidth, unreliable power supply and weak Internet proficiency. This paper suggests that adequate funding, benchmark performance and multi-skilling can serve as strategies against these constraints in developing regions.

This study contributes to library staff assessment because it links strategic objectives to performance measures and associated long-term targets. It broadens issues which affect sustainable performance in academic libraries in Nigeria, as well as in Africa and other developing countries.

While performance measurement is well established in developed countries, it is less or not so well established in Nigeria and other developing countries. The current research seeks to develop a performance measurement framework for academic libraries that is testable and expandable to Nigeria and the whole African context.

The study aims to expand the literature on evaluating the performance of professionals and academic libraries, rationalizing management and providing reliable services to the academic community. The performance assessment model covers the four components (management competence, professional experience, financial add/projects and library services) in the context of the knowledge management model.

Based on quantitative data, the study defines a set of assumptions for testing the four components of performance evaluation within a knowledge management framework to develop appropriate and robust models for improving employee performance and library services. The structural equation model has been applied to sample data from 339 administrative librarians at 190 universities in Pakistan.

Statistical evidence confirms that the applicability of the proposed performance-based model enhances management competence, makes accurate decisions, develops professional skills and strengthens human resource organization and knowledge management techniques in developing the efficiency of academic libraries.

In the long term, academic leaders and policymakers value investment in the professional development of top library management as they participate in the decision-making process. Organizing training for service employees, supporting innovative research projects and providing library technology infrastructures ultimately improve academic performance and research when integrated into the knowledge management model.

So far, comprehensive literature on performance and knowledge management has been published separately. However, based on the key data collected by senior library administrators using the structured research questionnaire, the comprehensive performance evaluation research based on a knowledge management model is innovative to improve academic library services and close the literature gap.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an input‐output analysis of electronic resources in academic libraries by verifying evaluation indicators and applying them to the digital library environment.

This study measures the performance of electronic resources in academic libraries in Korea. To measure the efficiency of the input‐output ratio, evaluation indicators were divided into inputs and outputs. Inputs refer to the e‐resource use environment as well as the acquisition of e‐resources such as web DB, e‐books, e‐journals, and so on. Outputs quantify the use of each resource.

First, the results of this study show that a large share of academic library budgets is spent on e‐resource purchases and e‐resource environment improvement for better use. Second, the measurement shows that web DB subscription, annual e‐resource development, and education for e‐resource exhibit higher efficiency, while e‐resource use, web DB and e‐journal download exhibited relatively high efficiency. Third, when the input‐output ratio is calculated in percentage terms, the efficiency of e‐resources of Korean academic libraries reaches 88.20 per cent.

First, to measure performance accurately, results/effectiveness must be included. However, this study focused on quantifiable input and output factors. It is recommended that future research include user satisfaction and learning effects. Second, this study was conducted in a particular country (Korea). So it is advisable to conduct research to compare the results of this study to results in other countries.

This study is the first research to consider the performance of electronic resources in depth. This paper contributes to improving the reliability of library evaluation.

The present paper's purpose is to review the literature related to quality assessment and performance evaluation in academic libraries, whether empirical or theoretical, and to extract key issues. It aims to explore which criteria exert a significant relationship with the academic libraries' performance quality; identify a set of criteria that appears to be useful for assessing the quality of academic libraries ITBS; and use these criteria to develop an instrument or evaluation checklist for evaluating the quality of academic libraries ITBS.

Related keywords such as “academic libraries research”, “academic libraries evaluation”, “academic libraries assessment” were searched on the web as well as some leading databases. In addition, available library resources as well as online book databases were consulted. Key issues were identified, categorized and discussed to develop the evaluation checklist suggested by the paper.

A number of indicators have been developed and tested in quality assessment studies debated in the paper. The literature reveals that evaluating ITBS in academic libraries should be considered to a greater extent and thus, more evaluation studies on the basis of validated tools are needed.

The review does not claim to be comprehensive.

The paper can serve as a research roadmap concerning quality assessment of ITBS in academic libraries for researchers, managers, academic authorities and users.

The dynamic environment in which the academic library operates requires explicit links between business strategy and a new management priority including the development of people; this is the focus of human resource development (HRD). It serves the needs of an organization by ensuring that employees’ expertise is state-of-the-art, something that is critical in a period of rapid technological development coinciding with ever-expanding societal needs. HRD can be relied upon to support and shape a wide range of academic library initiatives requiring a competent and engaged workforce by recognizing people as the organization’s most critical asset, one that drives competitive advantage and helps it out-perform the market. Emphasis is placed on developing an organizational context that will attract and develop talented individuals and leaders and keep them engaged. Furthermore, HRD activities must respond to job changes and integrate staff skills sets with the long-term plans and strategies of the organization thus ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources. This chapter explores HRD as a strategic concern of the organization and how it can best serve the organization in the long term. In so doing, it considers how HRD can help the academic library focus resources in those areas where there are strong likelihoods that they can produce substantial improvements in future capacity and performance. This kind of strategic planning helps the organization configure resources within a dynamic competitive environment, thus serving market needs and satisfying stakeholder expectations, helping meet its business purpose and maintain its strategic direction. The case study developed here highlights the need for the effective linkage of HRD and strategic planning for the advancement of the academic library. It suggests the need for developing and implementing both a strategic plan and an HRD plan and developing a culture of strategic human resource development (SHRD) in academic libraries.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the critical success factors for total quality management implementation and implications for sustainable academic libraries in Ghana. This study is part of a PhD project that focussed on selected technical university libraries in Ghana.

This study adopted a quantitative approach to collect the data. Samples of 124 participants were involved in this study. PLS-SEM (Smart PLS3) software was used to analyse the data. Convergent, discriminant validity assessment was computed. Eight variables of critical success factors were tested in relation to total quality management implementation at selected academic libraries in Ghana.

This study established that out of the eight variables tested, six of them (i.e. top management commitment, employee innovation employee training, organisational culture, teamwork and effective communication, quality performance) indicated a significant positive relationship with total quality management implementation apart from strategic planning and human resource management.

This study was limited to eight variables as the critical success factors mentioned in the previous paragraph. The use of one methodology might be a limitation as the use of multimethod might have given a more comprehensive picture than the case. This study was limited to only technical university libraries in Ghana hence caution must be exercised when applying the results to contextually different academic environments. The results are applicable to academic universities library in Ghana and beyond if they are adjusted to suit the context.

This study is timely as it may lead to effective total quality management implementation and the sustainability of technical university libraries in Ghana and Africa in general.

The proposed model can be used to enhance the smooth implementation of total quality management in academic libraries in general and Ghana in particular. The framework is termed as Eddie and Pat's Achievement of Quality Performance (EPAfQP) model.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the quality of online services in academic libraries in Nigeria. It seeks to assess the functionality of electronic infrastructures, to expose areas where the service needs of users are not adequately provided and to recommend solutions.

The sample population was 210 staff and students who used electronic resources in Nigerian university libraries during the 2012-2013 academic session. A questionnaire was the main instrument for data collection. Modified WebQual four performance indicators were designed and used to measure: library equipment, library website, online public access catalogue (OPAC) and e-user education in the university libraries. The five-point service performance scale that ranged from very poor performance to excellent was used in measuring the views of the respondents.

None of the indicators was rated excellent; six were rated good; nine were average; two and five indicators scored poor and very poor, respectively. Poor funding, intermittent power supply and weak telecommunication infrastructures were among the major impediments to online services in Nigerian universities. Through adequate funding and prudent management of library funds, online services in Nigerian university libraries could meet global standards.

Results from this paper could guide library management on several concrete remedial actions to sustain e-service performance that could meet the missions and visions of contemporary academic libraries.

This paper was the first to apply WebQual model in the evaluation of electronic performance quality of academic libraries in Nigeria.

The purpose of this study is to explore the association between select human resource management practices and employee performance in academic libraries in India.

The current study uses the quantitative method of research. Partial least squares-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse the results. The current study uses a cross-sectional approach by using a convenient sampling method. The sample size of the study was 163, which was adequate for conducting PLS-SEM analysis.

The study found a significant positive correlation between human resource management practices and employee performance in academic libraries. This suggests that the implementation of effective human resource management practices has a beneficial impact on various aspects of employee performance.

The study’s cross-sectional design may limit the ability to establish causality or determine the direction of the relationship between human resource management practices and employee performance. The study may have limitations regarding the sample size and its representativeness. If the sample is small or limited to specific academic libraries in India, it may not be possible to generalise the findings to a broader population of academic libraries in the country or to libraries in other regions or countries.

The study has practical implications for academic libraries in India. By recognising the significant correlation between human resource management practices and employee performance, libraries can prioritise the implementation of effective human resource management strategies. This includes aligning human resources practices with organisational goals, focusing on employee development and engagement and adopting best practices in recruitment, training and performance management.

This study can have broader social implications by promoting a supportive and productive work culture that positively impacts the academic library community.

The paper focuses on a quite important and largely unexplored area of human resource management within the academic libraries sector.

The purpose of this paper is to explore and measure the relative efficiency of the academic libraries within the GCC countries in terms of their abilities to transform their allocated resources into a specific level of outputs using a non-parametric frontier method – data envelopment analysis (DEA).

In order to estimate the overall efficiency score, as well as the technical and scale efficiency of the academic libraries within the GCC countries, online questionnaire is first addressed to academic libraries’ managers and directors. Second, three output measures – circulation, number of books added, and number of registered members and three input factors – number of books held, number of library staff, and the actual allocated budget are used in the analysis for the academic year 2010/2011. Third, the output-oriented version of DEA model is deployed to assess the performance and resource utilization efficiency of 11 academic libraries from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Among the 11 academic libraries analyzed, five libraries are rated fully efficient whereas inefficiency of the other six libraries is attributed to pure technical inefficiency rather than scale inefficiency. The results also shed light on the area of improvement required for inefficient libraries.

The sample is small due to the culture of high tendency toward secrecy and confidential in the GCC region. Moreover, follow-up research using panel data derived from GCC countries is required to investigate the impact of policy changes on libraries performance as an attempt to test and generalize the current results.

The paper is original in its application where the current study, as far as authors are aware, represents the first attempt to apply DEA approach for evaluating academic libraries performance in this part of the world.

The current study aims to gauge the association between HRM practices and performance in academic libraries in India.

This study used a quantitative approach to collect data. A total of 163 participants were included in this study. The sample was selected from 21 academic libraries. PLS-SEM, the main data analysis technique, was employed in the current research using the Smart PLS-4 software. The data for this study was collected through a survey conducted between March 1, 2022, and June 30, 2022.

The current study highlighted a significant positive correlation between HRM practices and performance. Moreover, the results indicated that job satisfaction mediates the relationship between training and performance among library professionals in academic libraries.

This study was limited to the University Libraries in northern India. It was not possible to cover all the academic libraries, because India has a large geographical area; it is the seventh-largest country in the world, with an area of 3.3 million square kilometres.

Employees play a vital role in addressing these concerns in their pursuit of sustainability because they are integral elements of organisations and a significant source of competitive advantage. This may be achieved through good human resource management, which involves defining performance indicators, teaching employees to empower them to achieve organisational goals and recognising their accomplishments. This study has the potential to enhance scholarship, particularly in the domains of “human resource management” and library management. This study can also be used by future academics interested in organisational behaviour, organisational effectiveness, job satisfaction, commitment and performance appraisal.

This study could be used as an empirical standard in decision-making policies aimed at improving employee performance and enhancing the smooth implementation of library management.