Continuing professional development of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago
| Date | 04 February 2019 |
| Published date | 04 February 2019 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-08-2018-0072 |
| Pages | 93-111 |
| Author | Portia Bowen-Chang,Yacoob Hosein |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Information behaviour & retrieval,Information in society,Information literacy,Library & information services |
Continuing professional
development of academic
librarians in Trinidad and Tobago
Portia Bowen-Chang and Yacoob Hosein
The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Abstract
Purpose –This study aims to presenta detailed investigationinto the approaches of academic librarians in
Trinidad and Tobago in pursuing continuing professional development (CPD) activities. The paper also
examines the extent of their participation in CPD at both the institutional and externallevels in contributing
to the developmentof their careers.
Design/methodology/approach –The instrument used was a questionnaire which assesses the
effectivenessof the librarians in their involvement in and attitude toward CPD activities.
Findings –The paper demonstratesthe active role and willingness of academic librariansin Trinidad and
Tobago in providing and participatingin CPD training and support to library and information personnelat
both the nationaland international levels.
Originality/value –The paper underscoresthe effectiveness of a group of academic librariansin Trinidad
and Tobagowho pursue and provide a high level of CPD activities to professionals.
Keywords Academic libraries, Libraries, Continuing professional development,
Trinidad and Tobago, Developing countries, Academic librarians
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Continuing professional development (CPD) is an imperative tool for the advancement of
librarians and informationprofessionals in achieving their career goals. In meeting the aims
of a twenty-first century librarian, the pursuance of CPD is even more crucial in today’s
technologically innovativesociety. In this regard, the study presents a detailed investigation
into the approaches of academic librarians in Trinidad and Tobago in pursuing CPD
activities. The study also examines the extent of their participation in CPD at both the
institutional and external levels in contributing to the development of their careers. In
addition, the research serves to identify the gaps and the need for a progressive and
participatory approach on the part of the librarians, academic institutions, and library
schools and associations. In general, CPD is paramount to the survival of academic
librarians in maintaining relevance and keeping on par with the dynamism of the
information environmentin a developing country.
Background
The twin island Republic of Trinidadand Tobago with a population of 1.3 million is a multi-
ethnic, culturally diverse country located in the Caribbean region. With much impetus
placed on higher education, there has been a growing number of tertiary level institutions
and programs. The academic institutions examined in this paper comprise of the St.
Augustine and Open Campuses of the University of the West Indies, the University of
Trinidad and Tobago; the College of Science,Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and
Academic
librarians in
Trinidad and
Tobago
93
Received21 August 2018
Revised15 October 2018
Accepted8 November 2018
GlobalKnowledge, Memory and
Communication
Vol.68 No. 1/2, 2019
pp. 93-111
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2514-9342
DOI 10.1108/GKMC-08-2018-0072
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2514-9342.htm
Tobago; the University of the Southern Caribbean; and the Cipriani College of Labour and
Cooperative Studies.
The University of the West Indies is the premier higher education institution in the
region and comprises of four campuses located at St Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago;
Mona in Jamaica; Cave Hill in Barbados and the Open Campus which spans seventeen
Caribbean islands and fourteen centersin Trinidad and Tobago. The St. Augustine Campus
was established in 1960 and is the largestacademic institution in Trinidad and Tobago with
a current student population of over 18,000. The St. Augustine Campus consists of ten
libraries including the Alma Jordan, the Medical Sciences, the School of Education, the
Institute of International Relations, the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business, Hugh
Wooding Law School,Patience-Theunissen Memorial, and the SeismicResearch Unit.
Established in 2004, the University of Trinidadand Tobago is a state owned institution
and consists of twelve campuseswhich integrated several former technological and teachers
training colleges. The University of Trinidad and Tobago hosts nine campus libraries: the
Chaguaramas Campus Library, Corinth Campus Library, Eastern Caribbean Institute of
Agriculture and Forestry Campus Library, John Donaldson Campus Library, O’Meara
Campus Library, Point Lisas Campus Library, San Fernando Campus Library, Tobago
Campus Library and Valsayn CampusLibrary.
The University of the Southern Caribbean is a private institution managed by the
Caribbean Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Founded in 1927 in Trinidad and
Tobago as the Eastern Caribbean Training School, it was later conferred accreditation
status as a university in 2006. Extension campuses are located in Georgetown, Guyana;
Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, Saint Lucia; and St. John’s in Antigua and Barbuda. The
Forde Library in Trinidad and Tobago is the main information center and offers a wide
range of research and support services.
The Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies was established in 1966 in the
immediate post-Independence period to provide trade union training, worker education,
conduct seminars and courses, undertake research in labor issues and problems and other
related activitiesin the field of industrial relations.
The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago was
established in 2000 and “is one of the largest, nationalpublic providers of tertiary education
in Trinidad and Tobago”(College of Science,Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and
Tobago, 2017, para. 1). It provides access to tertiary education at its seven campuses and
learning centers. The College library services span five libraries and are located at the City
Campus, North Learning Centre, South Campus, Trincity Learning Centre and Tobago
Campus. In addition, satellite collectionsare maintained at the Ministry’s health libraries at
the Department of Nursingin Port of Spain and the St. Ann’s Learning Centre.
Methodology
The study explored the efficacy of CPD activities by academic librarians in Trinidad and
Tobago in the pursuit of ongoing advancement of their careers. In the development of a
framework for the study, the following factors were identified and examined: the
demographics of the academic librarians as enabling variables for pursuing CPD; the
approaches of the academic librarians in pursuing CPD activities; the level of the academic
librarians’participation in CPD at the institutional and external levels to determine their
effectiveness; the level of the academic librarians’contribution to CPD to determine their
effectiveness in imparting skills and training to their peers; the benefits of the academic
librarians’participation in CPD and its relevance to their current position; the support of
employers, library associationsand library schools for CPD activities; and the impact on the
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