Pursuing CPD in the Caribbean: Individual quest versus organizational goal

Abstract

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.

Continuing professional development and special librarians in Jamaica

“…Thus, indicating that most of the participants were motivated to pursue continuing development activities, as only one individual or 4 percent of participants disagreed with the statement. These findings are comparable to other studies such as Tyrell (2015) and Gosine-Boodoo and McNish (2009) which reported a high level of personal motivation amongst librarians to pursue CPD.…”

“…These findings are supported by Gosine-Boodoo and McNish (2009) which reported that across all categories of Caribbean librarians in academic, special and public libraries, “the top three motivating factors were: learning new skills, technological changes and personal development” (p. 207). It should be noted that motivating factors such as increased salary and other incentives, job promotion and being mandated by employer got the lowest rankings.…”

“…Given that of the top five topics of interest for CPD activities, three are technology based, is important and point to the pervasive impact of technology on the LIS field, and the importance of keeping up with these changes from the point of view of librarians. This is supported by Gosine-Boodoo (2006) and Gosine-Boodoo and McNish (2009), which reported a preference for ICT training amongst Caribbean librarians.…”

“…Gosine-Boodoo (2006) sought to present a demographic profile of special librarians in the Caribbean region based on a survey of participants at the 2004 Annual ACURIL conference. Gosine-Boodoo and McNish (2009) sought to explore Caribbean librarian’s perceptions on CPD in relation to employer support, personal interest and motivation. These studies reported that for the most part Caribbean librarian’s were personally motivated to engage in CPD.…”

“…However, other motivating factors included tenure security, promotion or rank and file movements at the workplace. This is in contrast to Gosine-Boodoo and McNish (2009) which sought to test the hypothesis that organizations with CPD policies motivated librarians’ interests in pursuing CPD activities. The study reported that there was no significant difference between the levels of motivation between those respondents whose organizations had a CPD policy and those who did not.…”