This study explores Caribbean librarians’ perceptions on continuing professional development (CPD) as it relates to employer support, personal interest and motivation. CPD literature was reviewed and a questionnaire designed. Hypotheses were tested based upon the following questions: do clearly defined CPD policies motivate librarians to pursue CPD activities?; are librarians motivated to pursue CPD where their organizations have formal programmes?; and are librarians who pursue CPD motivated primarily by the possibility of professional advancement? Data were obtained from 100 librarians mainly from academic, public and special libraries. Respondents showed a clear personal interest in CPD and were motivated to participate regardless of organizational support. A direct relationship was observed between CPD motivation and professional advancement. Personal and professional ambition appeared to be the main driver of respondents’ interest in CPD participation.
This study aims to construct an exploratory profile of Caribbean special librarians. Data was based on a survey of professional librarians conducted in 2004 (Gosine-Boodoo and McNish, 2005) from which responses by Caribbean special librarians were extracted and analyzed. Findings were used to build a professional profile highlighting the following aspects: (1) demographics – gender, library and information science qualifications, length of professional service and job function(s); (2) perception of skills – satisfaction with the acquisition of a set of desirable skills and characteristics for the librarian of the new millennium; and (3) opportunities for development – development and training areas of current emphasis by organizations and special librarians and the latter group's satisfaction with their professional progress. Findings are only indicative because of the sample size. Recommendations advocate partnering for continuing education and training, personal responsibility for professional development, the formation of ‘special interest’ groups, and the formulation and implementation of competency standards.
Purpose -The main aim of the research conducted was to identify whether the particular country environment of today's professional librarian impacts upon his/her skills capabilities as well as upon his/her access to opportunities for continued development. Design/methodology/approach -Data was sourced by means of a survey administered to professional librarians mainly from the developing Caribbean Region and the developed North American countries. Firstly, the satisfaction level of librarians with regard to six recommended skills and characteristics was measured. These areas are detailed as follows: communication; training; information technology (IT); managerial; commitment and subject knowledge/profiling. Secondly, professional development opportunities were measured via skills, services and attitudes, key areas also recommended for staff development and training. Findings -Findings demonstrated that librarians' perceptions showed noteworthy similarities and fewer differences than expected between the respective country categories. Both perspectives reflected similar zones of "skills insecurity". Research limitations/implications -The greatest challenge faced by the researchers was to source a sample size that could yield meaningful results in relation to the hypotheses. Originality/value -A comparison of librarians from a geo-economic position (i.e. in relation to geographic location and world economic order) appears to have been largely unexplored. The study is intended as well to encourage key players from both country contexts to unite for the enhancement of librarians' professional development.
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