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The purpose of this paper is to characterize performance evaluation dynamics developed in Lisbon Municipal Libraries Network (LMLN) over a two-decade period (1989-2009), using a specific model and tools of (meta-)analysis.

Based on a methodology eminently qualitative supported by a combination of research methods (literature review, construction and application of conceptual models for analysis and case study), the author examined LMLN's performance evaluation progress, focusing on the diachronic study of evaluative processes – the performance evaluation dynamics.

Between 1989 and 2009, LMLN developed four main performance evaluation dynamics. The most significant results that emerged from the examination of these dynamics relate to the following elements of the model of analysis Dynamics and Impacts of Library Performance Evaluation (DILPE): evaluation objects and methods; organization; and dissemination of results. The study also emphasized the importance of some factors to dynamics sustainability: the presence of a permanent coordination team, in the direct dependency of the head of library services, with the right competences; the existence of a culture of assessment; and the commitment of leadership with performance evaluation.

The meta-evaluative approach and particularly the focus on the long-term development of evaluative theories and practices, contributes to the enlargement of the international corpus on library performance evaluation. On the other hand, the analytical model and conceptual tools created might be useful to other researchers/practitioners willing to meta-evaluate library performance evaluation dynamics.

This article aims to construct a performance evaluation system for the e‐library in universities in Taiwan. The paper uses actual university cases as the target for analysis for in‐depth research so as to provide an evaluation reference.

This article reviewed the library performance evaluations found in the literature of the UK, Germany, USA and Taiwan and constructed primary performance evaluation indicators. The Delphi Method was then used to summarize the opinions of experts in completing the construction of a performance evaluation model for e‐library. With all the factors of e‐library, user satisfaction and input of libraries as the basis, Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to illustrate the problems and combine the two to establish the hierarchy structure for the performance evaluation of this research. The weights of all indicators within hierarchies are calculated and then the weight of the overall hierarchies are worked out.

The e‐library plays two important roles: data searching and academic study.

Using relevant e‐business data collected from libraries in six universities, combining indicator weight and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), this paper considers the distance of the universities from positive and negative Ideal Solutions as the evidence for ranking and demonstrate the overall performance of e‐libraries in all universities – providing future improvement directions for university libraries. The research can also provide important future decision‐making references for libraries and universities to enable better performances.

This paper aims to suggest performance evaluation of university libraries in India using qualitative and quantitative parameters provided by librarians to be collected, analysed and disseminated by a national agency apart from LibQual user surveys.

The status about the university libraries in India provided by the Association of Indian Universities publication Universities Handbook would help to assess the quantity and quality of collection and services offered by these libraries. The framework for performance evaluation of university libraries is presented in three heads: parameters, players and procedures. Parameters cover the various qualitative and quantitative data to be collected for the purpose of evaluation. Players include a vast network of institutions involved in this exercise. Among these, the first and foremost is the individual libraries. There should be a national agency to be identified for collecting, analysing and disseminating the consolidated evaluation reports on a national scale. There may also be international agencies or services involved to support and guide user survey such as LibQual. Procedures involve the processes, actions and activities undertaken by the various players to achieve the basic objective of performance evaluation of these university libraries.

The performance framework suggested when implemented every year by university libraries present the qualitative and quantitative outcome of their functioning and reveal their worth in the university landscape. This may also aid in planned and organised development of university libraries in the country. The results provided by this exercise should influence judicious collection development decisions and pragmatic information service planning.

India, perhaps, has the largest number of higher education institutions in the developing world. The national directory Universities Handbook only presents information about library of a university without any attempt to analyse the statistics collected to arrive at national trends or patterns. This may be the first attempt to provide a holistic picture to assess the performance of a varied spectrum of libraries as far as infrastructure, resources and services are concerned.

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 purpose of this paper is to define the problem and to initiate discussion on library evaluation as significant part of institutional evidence-based management from public administration approach.

In order to fulfilling the purpose, special attention to present the concepts of valuing information, library performance evaluation, measurement, etc. is drawn, main evaluation functions are analysed. Economic aspects of information services vs intellectual ones are discussed. Consistent patterns and principles of public administration as well as possibilities of public administration influence in creation of systematic base of library performance evaluation as well as of information services impact to the user are analysed.

The paper provides insights about different aspects of information services evaluation. Results of analysis of economic aspects of information services vs intellectual ones are presented, consistent patterns and principles of public administration, possibilities of public administration influence in creation of systematic base of library performance evaluation as well as of information services impact to the user possibilities are presented.

The paper fulfills need to study how public administration could involve library evaluation as tool for evidence-based decision making.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the development of practice and application of standards in Estonian research libraries.

The paper describes the following themes: evaluation of library performance; library performance measures: impact and outcome; and current developments in Estonia.

The research in this field needs to be improved, completed and developed on the national level in the following directions: implementation of internationally approved relevant research methods; the choice of methodology and tools appropriate for different library types; continuation of standardisation considering the electronic library evaluation; preparation of guidelines for the usage of indicators and their interpretation on the national level; development of data processing for research needs.

The paper offers insights into the current developments in library performance in Estonia.

The purpose of this article is to report on the methodological approach taken in a project which was to create a Facilities Master Plan for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County in the United States. Libraries are changing drastically: they function as community centers, where programs and classes are held; they provide access to the internet to socio‐economically weaker groups; and they accommodate the needs of different age groups, such as children, teens, adults and seniors.

Innovative in the approach to the project is the combination of geographic information system (GIS) and building performance evaluation (BPE) methods. This project assigned comprehensive scores for each of the libraries and grouped them into groups of high, medium and low performing libraries. The rankings are based on composite scores made up of eight weighted performance indicators: staff survey, facility evaluation, service area, usage, building, site, staffing output, and capacity. Project data are benchmarked and compared with those of library systems around the USA in similarly sized cities.

The outcomes of the project are recommendations, as well as medium‐ to long‐term projections, with primary emphasis on branch libraries. Specific recommendations for each branch focused on: needed improvements; closure and/or consolidation with other branch libraries; and the creation of new full‐service “hub” libraries.

Practical implications of this project include a rational decision making tool for library facility master planning in the future.

The data gathering and analysis approach applied in this project shows promise as an innovative way of combining quantitative and qualitative methods in evaluation research measuring library performance.

The paper discusses theoretical and practical approaches to the problems of assessing library performance and especially of measuring outcomes in the developing world, i.e. the impact and value of the library services for their users and society as a whole. The importance of a systematic evaluation of a library’s activities and the use of modern management methods and tools is emphasized. The need for an appropriate management information system as one of the key elements for the library decision‐making process is demonstrated. The need to enable libraries in developing countries to implement national systems of library statistics is demonstrated. To do this it is important to educate the librarians to collect and use data effectively, to enable them to be able to make the transition from measuring inputs to measuring outputs, and to understand the possible methods and importance of measuring library outcomes.

Higher education reform in Vietnam has recently required university libraries to improve their quality, to evaluate their performance, and to be accountable for the purpose of quality assessment and accreditation. Systematic performance measurement is an integral part of this process. The aims of this paper are: to provide an overview of the current state of performance development in Vietnamese university libraries; to address issues related to the measurement of library performance; and to propose an approach to evaluation for university libraries in Vietnam.

The paper reviews the literature on library performance measurement, with particular focus on university libraries in Vietnam. Relevant documents relating to performance measurement were examined, and two case studies of performance measurement in university libraries in Vietnam were carried out.

It is critical that university libraries in Vietnam develop systematic performance measures and apply different methods and tools for performance measurement. To succeed, cooperation between the administering authority, university administration and library management is essential.

This paper reports on the first phase of a doctoral research project at Monash University. Further research is being undertaken to develop a framework for quality assurance and performance measurement for Vietnamese university libraries. The efficacy if this framework is yet to be tested through its deployment in practice.

While performance measurement is well established in Western countries, it is less so in Vietnam. The current research is seeking to develop a performance measurement framework for university libraries that is attuned to the Vietnamese context. The paper stresses the urgent need for the development of effective performance measures and systematic performance measurement systems amongst this sector.

The author proposes the broad use of a Librarianship Portfolio in performance evaluation of librarian work performance and promotion decisions, and a rubric is formulated to guide managers in its use.

The librarianship portfolio and rubric offer a flexible and significant alternative to many performance evaluation techniques. Tailored to a broader array of institutional types and employment situations these tools can provide both management and employees with collaborative and substantive information about professional performance and appraisal.

The librarianship portfolio itself and the proposed rubric offer the library world a structured, summative and collaborative process for performance evaluation of work performance. They offer employees a means of ‘looking their best’ to the management, and the management a calibrated and clear method of feedback.

The librarianship portfolio discussed as well as the rubric proposed are original formulations and tools, based on well-established and effective evaluative techniques.