Glass ceiling issues in the UK library profession

Abstract

Reports results of a study to determine whether the UK library profession suffers from so-called 'intraoccupational sex segregation' whereby men dominate the senior positions within the profession's institutions. Particular attention is paid to the so-called 'glass ceiling' whereby women find a barrier to promotion when they reach their forties but who have up until then enjoyed a reasonably successful career. The perceived barriers are considered, including: lack of academic qualifications; salary differences; geographical mobility; domestic responsibilities; lack of female role models; the need for mentors; and lack of ambition. A questionnaire survey was undertaken involving randomly chosen members of the Library Association using electronic mail and post with telephone interviews conducted with some of the respondents used to complement the questionnaire and to expand on issues arising. Results indicated that glass ceiling issues in libraries are still concerns for many women in the profession. The lack of qualifications do not seem to pose a barrier to promotion and the main barrier appears to be due to domestic responsibilities, particularly taking a career break to bring up children. Concludes that, for many women, the glass ceiling is imposed by themselves. It is often their choice to take a career break or to move to a new location for the sake of their husband's or partner's job, and it is their choice to put the needs of their family first before their own career ambitions. For many of the older women in the sample, the choice they had to make was between having children and having a career.

Glass Ceiling Syndrome: A Perspective of Women Working in Health Institutions

“…It has been determined that female health workers under 25 and between the ages of 26-35 are exposed to occupational discrimination more than those between the ages of 46-55. Contrary to this research, Jones and Oppenheim (2002) suggested that women did not encounter any obstacles until their forties, but glass ceilings formed after this age. It has been determined that female health workers with no children and one child are exposed to occupational discrimination more than those with four or more children.…”

“…This study puts forth the subsequent hypothesis: H3: Glass ceiling syndrome varies depending on the profession. Jones and Oppenheim (2002) found that women did not encounter any obstacles until their forties, but glass ceilings were formed for them after that age. Sever (2016) found that the rate of exposure to glass ceiling syndrome in older people decreased.…”

“…Kee (2006) concluded that the primary determinant of the wage disparity is gender, and a more pronounced glass ceiling phenomenon exists within the puclic sector as opposed to the private in the context of Australia. Women highlighted their family responsibilities and paid more attention to their families' needs than their career goals (Jones & Oppenheim, 2002).…”

Forming working selves : flexibility and generational identity formation in the public library

“…One lies in the types of identities that were not brought to the fore and gender is one such identity. As has been noted, librarianship has been associated with certain gendered characteristics (Jones and Oppenheim, 2002) and library work has also been dominated by women (Hannabus, would also allow one to look more specifically at if different forms of power existed within the organization through the tasks that were performed over time. Foucault (1980b) notes the importance that a historic perspective allows:…”

“…The result of these suggests that the relationship between the needs, uses and perceptions of the public or users of the public library is important to study in relation to identity. Moreover, the library as a public place for use by the public is also important to consider.Other aspects of the literature on public libraries have looked at the gendered nature of library work and gender implications(Jones and Oppenheim, 2002) and the role…”