Performance evaluation. A case study of Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, National Library of Singapore
| Pages | 77-87 |
| Date | 02 January 2009 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120910927547 |
| Published date | 02 January 2009 |
| Author | Lin Mui Law,Vicky Xiaohang Gao,Hui Ling Ng |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Performance evaluation
A case study of Lee Kong Chian Reference
Library, National Library of Singapore
Lin Mui Law, Vicky Xiaohang Gao and Hui Ling Ng
Lee Kong Chian Reference Library, National Library of Singapore, Singapore
Abstract
Purpose – The paper aims to introduce and examine certain performance indicators and result areas
used by the Lee Kong Chian Reference Library to evaluate its services and staff performance.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper lists out the measures in place and looks for
justification for each in terms of their relevance to library work and value to stakeholders.
Findings – It is shown how the measures in place enable services and staff to effectively support the
library’s mission and vision.
Originality/value – The paper provides insight for those interested in performance evaluation for
library staff and services in the National Library Board, Singapore.
Keywords Performance appraisal, Referenceservices, Performance management,Singapore, Libraries
Paper type Case study
Background
The National Library Board (NLB) is a library system of 37 libraries comprisin g one
national library, 20 public libraries and 13 government department libraries. The Lee
Kong Chian Reference Library, previously known as the National Reference Library,
forms the major part of the National Library of Singapore.
In September 2003, the Lee Foundation founded by the late Dr Lee Kong Chian,
donated S$60 million towards the construction of the new National Library building[1]
located at Victoria Street. It was a gesture that mirrored the late Dr Lee’s contribution
to the former building at Stamford Road. Philanthropist, educationist and visionary, Dr
Lee Kong Chian was a major supporter of education, health, library as well as social
and welfare projects in Singapore and the region. He had envisioned the National
Library as the hub of a free public library service in Singapore and a centre for learning
in the region back in early 1950s. To honour Mr Lee’s generous contributions, the NLB
renamed the National Reference Library to Lee Kong Chian Reference Library (LKCR L)
on 1st April 2004.
Today, LKCRL is gaining a reputation as a premiere resource center in Asia[2]. It
embodies the learning agenda championed by the National Library Board, providing a
worthy cause for philanthropists like Dr Lee to give back to society in a meaningful
way.
Transforming vision: library 2000 to library 2010
The Library 2000 Review Committee was set up in June 1992 to review the role and
functions of the publicly funded library services. The information explosion that
happened as a result of the introduction of the Internet and the need to maintain
Singapore’s competitive edge[3] had made it necessary for the libraries in Singapore to be
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
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Performance
evaluation
77
Received 29 July 2008
Revised 25 August 2008
Accepted 17 September
2008
Library Management
Vol. 30 No. 1/2, 2009
pp. 77-87
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120910927547
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