This paper discusses the utility, versatility, and pros and cons of the formal performance appraisal as one of the tools of management by objectives (MBO). Rather than rating the traits of an employee, performance appraisal based on MBO rates an employee's achievements toward both his professional goals and institutional goals. The paper outlines…

With funding from the Council of Library Resources, visits were made in the summer of 1974 to the public libraries of ten large cities in order to examine their procedures for setting goals and objectives. Since the goal-setting process implies the selection of priorities and the application of leadership by the library administration, the…