Impact of continuing education programs (CEPs) on LIS professionals in academic libraries in Mumbai, India

Pages117-130
Date14 March 2017
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/LM-07-2016-0051
Published date14 March 2017
AuthorMadhura Deodhar,Sushama Powdwal
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion
Impact of continuing education
programs (CEPs) on LIS
professionals in academic
libraries in Mumbai, India
Madhura Deodhar
IES Management College and Research Center, Mumbai, India, and
Sushama Powdwal
Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Womens University, Mumbai, India
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to report the research findings of an evaluation of the impact of
continuing education programs (CEPs) on library information science (LIS) professionals of academic libraries
in Mumbai, India. The paper also introduces Donald Kirkpatrick model of training evaluation for Library
Science research in the area of program evaluation.
Design/methodology/approach The impact of CEPs was evaluated using Donald Kirkpatrick model of
training evaluation using survey method. The impact was evaluated at four levels; reaction, learning,
behavior and results. The population of the present study included 344 LIS professionals working at colleges
libraries affiliated to University of Mumbai and Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Womens
University in Mumbai, India. The data collected through questionnaire were supplemented by five specimen
interviews of heads of institutions of the academic librarians who had attended more than five CEPs in five
years, 2009-2013.
Findings The findings of the study revealed that professionals were satisfied with CEP attendance; keen
on gaining more knowledge and transferring the acquired knowledge and skills at their workplaces and
interested in implementing the learning to achieve results. The reasons given by academic librarians on not
implementing the learning in the library indicated that there were hindrances like lack of management
support, lack of technical expertise, inadequate staff in the library, poor IT Infrastructure, etc. in transferring
the learning at work.
Research limitations/implications The study was based on self-perceptions of respondents. The
limitation of self-perception was eliminated to some extent by supplementing qualitative data wherever
required. CEPs included conferences, seminars, workshops, refresher courses, orientation programs and
online courses. Pre-test and post-test recommended by the Kirkpatrick model could not be conducted as the
researcher has not adopted experimental design. The data of feedback from the organizers and content of the
CEPs attended by respondents were not analyzed in the study.
Practical implications The paper describes the implementation of Kirkpatrick model to evaluate the
CEPs, which can be used by the organizers or institutions to evaluate the impact of CEPs in future. This will
help them to improve upon the contents of CEPs making them more relevant and effective.
Social implications Evaluation of CEPs will be useful to ensure the effectiveness of CEPs and
performance of LIS professionals.
Originality/value This paper reports an original research initiative undertaken to evaluate the impact of
CEPs attended by LIS professionals of Indian academic libraries in Mumbai, India. It fills the gap in LIS
research. The application of Donald Kirkpatrick model of Training evaluation is also valuable for
LIS research.
Keywords Academic libraries, Training and development, Continuing education programmes,
Donald Kirkpatrick model, Effectiveness of continuing education programmes, Evaluation of impact
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Todays academic library is undergoing drastic changes with reference to collection
development and service orientation. Due to information and communication technology
(ICT), the traditional library system and its processes have changed tremendously. Digital
material like e-books, e-journals and databases with existing print material are changing the
Library Management
Vol. 38 No. 2/3, 2017
pp. 117-130
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-07-2016-0051
Received 2 July 2016
Revised 19 November 2016
Accepted 2 January 2017
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
117
Continuing
education
programs

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