Continuing professional development and special librarians in Jamaica

Pages416-427
Date12 August 2019
Published date12 August 2019
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LM-12-2018-0093
AuthorMarsha-Gay Robinson
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,Hr in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion
Continuing professional
development and special
librarians in Jamaica
Marsha-Gay Robinson
National Environment and Planning Agency, Kingston, Jamaica
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the continuing professional development (CPD) activities
undertaken by special librarians in Jamaica, their motivation, the challenges faced and the areas of interest for
professional development.
Design/methodology/approach Special librarians working in Jamaica were surveyed using an online
questionnaire which was disseminated via e-mail.
Findings The study indicates that special librarians in Jamaica were engaged in both formal and informal
CPD activities. They were motivated by factors such as keeping up to date with changes in librarianship and
personal satisfaction. Challenges to participating in CPD include, lack of funding, time constraints and lack of
worthwhile options. Areas of interest for CPD were mainly information technology-based.
Research limitations/implications The study was limited to the contact lists of the special libraries
section of the Library and Information Association of Jamaica (LIAJA) and the Government Library and
Information Network of the Jamaica Library and Information Network ( JAMLIN).
Practical implications The results have implications for the planning and implementation of continuing
professional activities for Jamaicas special librarians. It also fills a gap in library literature regarding the
continuing professional activities of special librarians.
Originality/value The paper is one of few studies focusing on the CPD activities of special librarians
undertaken in a developing country.
Keywords Librarians, Special libraries, Jamaica, Continuing professional development,
Professional development, Special librarians
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Technology has impacted every aspect of modern life and nowhere is that impact most felt
than in the way we communicate, learn, teach, work and do business. Librarians and
information professionals are operating in a constantly evolving environment, in which
there are new, and emerging technologies, diverse patrons and changing information needs
and expectations. In order to keep pace with these changes, it is essential that librarians
engage in continuing professional development (CPD). There is recognition amongst
librarians about the importance of CPD, it is estimated that within ten to twelve years of
receiving their formal professional education, most of the information professionals are just
about half as competent to meet the demands of their library as they were upon graduation
(Rafiq et al., 2017).
Special librarians, whether they operate within government or private entities play a
significant role in national development, fostering good governance, profit generation and
research and development. The special library environment, however, presents many
challenges to professional development such as time constraints, limited resources and
declining budgets. Ukachi and Onuoha (2013) suggested that formal classroom instruction
covers primarily generalized knowledge about the concepts and theories of library systems
and operation. Also, particularly for special librarians, it is when they get into these
specialized work environments that they can identify the gaps between what is required and
the knowledge gained from the curriculum. Therefore, they need to assess their skills
and abilities within their local context continually.
Library Management
Vol. 40 No. 6/7, 2019
pp. 416-427
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-12-2018-0093
Received 10 December 2018
Revised 22 March 2019
Accepted 1 May 2019
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
416
LM
40,6/7

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