Evaluating the Performance Excellence of Iran Public Libraries Based on the Malcolm Baldrige Model

Performance evaluation is a process through which the organization is assessed at specific intervals to determine its strengths as well as areas that need to be systematically improved. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the performance Excellence of Iran Public Libraries by using the Malcolm Baldrige Model. This research was practical in terms of the purpose, and, was survey in terms of methodology with descriptive approach and quantitative framework in data collection. The statistical population of the present study was the employees (librarians and authorities) of the major public libraries, among whom 210 individuals were selected as sample members using proportional Stratified Random Sampling. To evaluate the performance excellence, the Baldrige Excellence Patterns Questionnaire was used for staff and managers (National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2015); Before gathering the data, the validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by using the translation validity and determining the face validity. Despite confirmation of reliability of this tool in various studies, here, Cronbach's alpha test was used for reliability calculation and it was 0.89 and confirmed. Also, to analyze the descriptive information of the study, SPSS 24 and one sample t-test was used. From staff' point of views of the major public libraries of the country, performance excellence in these libraries is in a relatively favorable situation. Motahhari Baravat kerman Public Library ranked first in the performance excellence and Tarbiyat tabriz Public Library had the lowest performance status. The status of the performance excellence of the major public libraries in the provinces of Kerman and Markazi based on the province, in district 5 (Mashhad) and district 3 (Tabriz) based on the district, in standard Public Libraries and second degree Public libraries based on the classification of Public libraries, respectively, received the highest and lowest values. Originality/ Value: The use of the Malcolm Baldrige Universal Excellence Model for evaluating the performance of Iran Public Libraries has been considered in this research. A tool for evaluating performance excellence measures attempted to highlight the status of excellence of Iran Public Libraries from the perspective of the staff.