Brain drain in African academic libraries: a survey

Abstract

PurposeThis study was intended to identify and assess the extent and impact of the emigration of professional librarians on every university library in Anglophone Africa as well as the attitudes of library administrators toward national and international programs that have been or might be designed to make use of the skills of librarians in the African diaspora.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted by use of an online survey that was sent to 121 African academic libraries.FindingsThe study conclusively demonstrated that African academic libraries have been impacted – both positively and negatively – by the effects of the “brain drain”. It also revealed that the administrators of these libraries are highly receptive to the possibility of working with African emigrant librarians in various forms (i.e. permanent, temporary, virtual) of structured “return programs”.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey's relatively low response rate precluded precise determination as to the degree to which the brain drain has penetrated African academic libraries. Additional study will be necessary to clarify the range of its impact and any differences between regions that might exist.Practical implicationsThe study's findings strongly suggest that academic libraries in English‐speaking Africa offer a promising environment for return programs designed to ameliorate the effects of the brain drain.Originality/valueThis paper is an original study that fills a gap in the literature of African library administration. It is of value to practicing librarians and researchers as well as individuals involved with international development projects.

Job prospects for Mzuzu university library and information science graduates

“…This represented a 55.3 per cent response rate. Although this were the case, the response rate was still good when compared with other studies (Ibraheem and Devine, 2013;Treptow and James, 2011;Fullard, 2007). These studies have shown that use of emails, as a data collection method normally elicits a poor response rate.…”

“…These studies have shown that use of emails, as a data collection method normally elicits a poor response rate. The study conducted by Fullard (2007) achieved a 29.0 per cent response rate, while studies conducted by Ibraheem and Devine (2013) and Treptow and James (2011) achieved even lower response rates of 19.8 per cent and 14.0 per cent respectively. Although 47 questionnaires administered to the LIS graduates were returned, the researcher observed that some of the respondents did not respond to some questions.…”

“…Again, use of emails to send and receive questionnaires, which were the main data collection procedure the researcher used, have previously, yielded lower response rates. For instance, a study conducted by Ibraheem and Devine (2013) had achieved a response rate of only (19.8 per cent). Other studies by Treptow and James (2011) and Fullard (2007) had achieved even lower response rates of only 14.0 and 29.0 per cent, respectively.…”