Professional development in private university libraries in Ghana
| Date | 13 August 2018 |
| Published date | 13 August 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-06-2017-0055 |
| Pages | 488-502 |
| Author | Patience Emefa Dzandza,Harry Akussah |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
Professional development in
private university libraries
in Ghana
Patience Emefa Dzandza
Department of Information Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana, and
Harry Akussah
Department of Information Studies,
University of Ghana School of Information and Communication Studies,
Legon, Ghana
Abstract
Purpose –There has been a significant change in the provision of library services due to the application of
technology to every aspect of library services. This has posed a major challenge to library staff as they need
to be abreast with current technologies and their application to library services. One means by which a
librarian can overcome this challenge is through professional development (PD) programs. The purpose of
this paper is to determine PD opportunities in private university libraries in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach –A cross-sectional survey of 61 staff and interviews with 20 heads of
libraries was conducted to collect data from 25 private universities in Ghana.
Findings –The study revealed that not all library staff in the private universities were allowed to attend PD
programs. None of the private universities studied had a policy on PD and only three institutions made
budgetary allocation to PD programs. Majority of the private universities did not have in-house PD programs
and there were no means of knowledge sharing in most of the libraries studied.
Originality/value –In this paper, the researchers identified the major challenges encountered by library
staff in private universities in Ghana and propose that librarians should see PD as a part of their own
responsibility while, libraries should have a PD policy and make budgetary allocation toward PD.
Keywords Ghana, Training needs, Private universities, Professional development, Academic libraries,
Staff development
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Professional development (PD) to the researchers is any activityundertaken by an individual
or an organizationto further acquire knowledge whichis expected to enhance an individual’s
ability to perform professional duties. Pan and Hovde (2010) indicated that PD is a lifetime
learning process, which is both universal and individualized. It is a universal requirement of
all professionalsespecially librarians in orderto keep up with the rapid changes in the library
field and to maintainprofessionalism. At the same time,it is an individualized experiencethat
varies with the needs of specific duties as well as resources available around one’sworking,
social and academicenvironment. PD for academic librariansto Pan and Hovde (2010) fulfills
a need for the continuing acquisition of knowledge and competencies.
In Ghana, the need for continuing education programs for library and information
personnel in educational institutions is very much recognized. Continuing education for
library and information personnel in educational institutions in Ghana is desired to ensure
and maintain standards and competence at the work place. Without continuing education,
occupational obsolescence inevitably becomes a real concern in university libraries. In order
to meet the challenges posed by the changing academic environment, it is important for
library staff to consider continuing education as a lifelong responsibility and a gateway to
advancement (Asiagodo, 1995). Moorefield-Lang (2017) also noted that staying up-to-date in
the field of librarianship is very vital.
Library Management
Vol. 39 No. 6/7, 2018
pp. 488-502
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-06-2017-0055
Received 8 June 2017
Revised 2 November 2017
Accepted 10 April 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
488
LM
39,6/7
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