The training and development of academic librarians in Ghana
| Published date | 01 February 1998 |
| Date | 01 February 1998 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435129810198611 |
| Pages | 37-41 |
| Author | Paul Effah |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Introduction
Training and development constitute one
aspect of the human resource management
(HRM) process. Stoner and Freeman (1992)
identify six other separate but related basic
activities – human resource planning, recruit-
ment, selection, socialization, performance
appraisal and promotions, transfers, demo-
tions and separations.
Of all the academic support units, the
library may be said to be the one most directly
related to the central mission of the university
which has remained teaching, research and
service, in spite of the many changes that have
taken place since the middle ages. The focal
position of the library within the university has
been emphasised and echoed by many
authors. Professor C.C. Aguolu, Head,
Department of Library Science, University of
Maiduguri, has observed that libraries in
schools, colleges of education, polytechnics
and universities are not adjuncts to their parent
institutions, but form integral parts of them
(Aguolu, 1990). Professor Alex Kwapong,
former Vice-Chancellor of the University of
Ghana, likens the library to the heart in the
context of a human body. He declares:
The University Library is the heart, if not aorta
of any university and its academic health, intel-
lectual vitality and effectiveness, therefore,
closely depend on the state of health and excel-
lence of its library which is indeed its very
lifeblood. An inert and moribund library invari-
ably means an inert and moribund University
(Kwapong, 1970).
In view of its crucial role, the library and what
it is expected to do should be the concern of all
interested in the university enterprise.
This paper focuses attention on the training
and development of librarians in the universi-
ties in Ghana and makes recommendations for
enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
Training for a career in librarianship
Training for a career in librarianship in Ghana
may be undertaken at two levels – the para-
professional and the professional/academic.
Until recently, secondary school leavers
who wanted to make a career in librarianship
were expected to undergo a year’s course in
librarianship leading to the award of a certifi-
cate in librarianship. There were opportunities
for further advancement to the diploma level
after some years’ working experience. Certifi-
cate holders worked as junior staff while
the Diploma holders in the universities
37
Library Management
Volume 19 · Number 1 · 1998 · pp. 37–41
© MCB University Press · ISSN 0143-5124
The training and
development of
academic librarians
in Ghana
Paul Effah
The author
Paul Effah is Registrar, University for Development
Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Abstract
The academic support service provided by the library is
critical to the attainment of the University’s central
mission of teaching, research and service. This paper
contributes to the quest for appropriate approaches for the
training and development of academic librarians to ensure
that the important role assigned to the library is fulfilled. It
discusses schemes available in Ghana for equipping
academic librarians with the requisite training and skills to
enable them to fulfil their roles efficiently and effectively.
In the process, a number of important issues such as
training needs assessment and responsibility for training
receive attention. Recommendations are made for more
structured, consistent and systematic training and devel-
opment programmes for academic librarians in Ghana.
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