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Need and Effectiveness of Professional Development Courses for Academic Librarians of Capital City of Punjab, Pakistan
Abstract
1.1 Objectives: The aims of the study were to explore the need of the professional development courses, and effectiveness of the professional development courses in academic libraries of the capital city of Punjab, Pakistan. 1.2 Methodology: Library professionals working in the academic libraries of Higher Education Commission (HEC) recognized public sector universities were the population of the study. As all library professionals of public sector universities located in Lahore (working in the capital city of Punjab, Pakistan were included so census sampling technique was adopted to meet the objectives of the study. 67 respondents participated in this study. Quantitative research technique was followed. Questionnaire as data collection tool was used to accomplish the research. 1.3 Key Findings: Majority of respondents stated that effectiveness and outcomes of Professional Development Courses (PDC) by participating in the professional development courses are obvious. Other effective outcomes of PDC are managerial skills, communication skills and job promotions. Librarians are feeling desirable about the need of professional development programs. 1.4 Rationale and Significance: Previous studies showed that no comprehensive study was conducted in local scenario covering vast objectives. No researcher made proper investigation regarding the need, and effectiveness of Professional Development Courses (PDC) in academic libraries in local scenario. There was an urgent need to explore need and effectiveness of professional development courses. 1.5. Implication This study would contribute in the professional literature as well as the institutional repository. 1.6 Keywords: Continuing professional development; Effectiveness of development courses for librarians, Need for professional development courses
A review of library social responsibility is presented in this study to offer an understanding of the future direction of library social responsibility, and to bridge the knowledge gap regarding research patterns and trends in social responsibility of libraries. The purpose of this review was to provide a systematic review of social responsibility in libraries adopted between 2010 and 2021. Searches were conducted on databases in English and Arabic. An analysis of the papers revealed four themes of library social responsibility: workplace and employees, stakeholders, environment, and community. Themes had different levels of attention. The results of this study may contribute to future research. Further highlighting the gaps in the literature could be valuable for future research. In-depth qualitative empirical studies of library social responsibility are recommended.
The Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) is gaining popularity for understanding the relationship between humans and technology through Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease of Use (PEU). The foremost rationale for adopting the TAM in this study was to present a foundation for ascertaining the impact of external variables on internal beliefs, personal abilities, attitude, mind-set and intention in attaining Information Literacy (IL) skills. The TAM is an information system theory that propagates stages to be followed by information seekers or learners in the acceptance, inculcating and utilisation of new technology to achieve information literacy skills. This study evaluates the TAM’s main variables for Information Literacy acquisition such as: Perceived Usefulness (the intention to use, user training, computer experience, system quality) and Perceived Ease of Use (computer self-efficacy, perception of external control, ease of use, internet self-efficacy, efficacy of library use, computer anxiety, information anxiety, perceived enjoyment and objective usability, behaviour and intention). We intend to contextualise the TAM by analysing and explaining how the variables are applied in relationship to IL among school teachers. The outcome provides a deeper understanding and development of TAM as an appropriate model for Information Communication and Technology for Development (ICT4D)/social informatics/community informatics studies and for explaining the relationship between Information Literacy skills and technology acceptance. The study adopted qualitative content analysis method by selecting journals and conference papers relating to the subject matter of Technology Acceptance, which were evaluated, analyzed and reviewed in detail with regard to information literacy. The study identified resistance to information systems as a main reason for the failure of adoption of new technology in attaining information literacy. It was suggested that appropriate instruction and training on the use of technology and application to real life situation can lead to better information literacy.
Due to brisk developments in information technology (IT), the shelf life of the library and information study degree is becoming shorter and shorter. New competencies are required by information professionals to maintain their competitive edge and work effectively in a rapidly changing environment. Library and information science (LIS) schools, due to their highly trained academic staff, resources, and facilities, are considered an important source for offering continuing professional development (CPD) programs. This paper explores the status of CPD activities undertaken by LIS schools in five Southeast Asian countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. It was found that 13 schools had organized 185 CPD activities during the years 1998-2000, nearly one-half by two schools from Singapore. On average, the schools organized only three CPD activities per year. This article argues that instead of considering CPD activities as an additional or ad hoc responsibility, the LIS schools in the region should make it a part of their core responsibilities. The author also recommends a close coordination between library schools, professional associations, national libraries, funding agencies, and library and information employers for developing a comprehensive CPD plan for the Southeast Asian countries.
The purpose of this paper is to find out the effectiveness of the training programmes for LIS semi-professionals and various aspects of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) in Central Universities of South India. The findings of the study reveals that most of the Semi-professionals do have a positive look on CPD activities and satisfied with the effectiveness of training programmes particularly on, on-the-job training. In-house training will improve their job performance and prefer to develop new services from what they had learned. The ideal duration for CPD courses should be one week is what the research shows. Institutional problem is the major issue in participation of CPD activities. This study is the first of its kind dealing with effectiveness of CPD programmes for semi-professionals in Central Universities of South India.
The research was about the importance of training and development of the library staff. It looked at the types of training and development programmes that would be suitable for library staff in the present dispensation. The study explored the benefits of training and development programmes and why such programmes must focus on specific skill development of staff. The research identified specific areas which more training should be delivered. The study was based on two case studies of Academic Libraries in Ghana. A descriptive survey research approach of data collection was adopted using a questionnaire distributed to 65 respondents. The findings of this study revealed that continuous training and development through education help to develop the potential of the individual and leads to better service delivery. The findings showed again that consistently exposing staff to relevant training and development interventions should not be underestimated. Majority of respondents requested that due to the enormous benefits derived from training and development programmes, it should be organized more frequently. .
This paper aims at exploring the ways, through which the academic librarians engage themselves in continuing professional development (CPD) activities. It also identifies the sources that academic librarians feel helpful for their CPD. These librarians neither had any ICT training before nor educated during their Master in Library and Information Science (MLIS) for the use of the latest technology, and are considered as digital novice. Librarians are required to keep them up to date to survive in this competitive information marketplace. They need to get familiarized with the latest technology and its applications for the libraries to minimize the gap between the information and its users. CPD allows receding from the traditional approach and muddling through the new digital arena. To get the vivid picture in the current scenario qualitative approach was used. Interviews were used as data collection technique. The population of this study was these digital immigrants librarian who got their MLIS degree before year 2001 and never had any formal ICT training before joining the profession and working in the University of the Punjab. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used to choose the sample of 12 respondents. The subsequent analysis will help librarian judge the present status of their CPD activities and to determine the ways to improve self-directed or organizational learning. It will be of assistance to the library schools, library management, library association and the policy makers to improve the existing training programs or to design the new programs to fulfill the requirements.
Purpose
– The aim of this paper is to examine and discuss academic librarians’ perceptions of the benefits and challenges of adopting e-learning for continuing professional development.
Design/methodology/approach
– To elicit the necessary information, this study adopted a descriptive survey design, using questionnaire as instrument for data collection. The study population consists of five tertiary institutions – two universities, two polytechnics and one college of education, selected as sample using the purposive sampling technique. The study also conducted a literature review on studies done on benefits and challenges of e-learning for professional development. The literature review is built on resources from online and offline.
Findings
– Academic librarians in Lagos State were unanimous in their perception of benefits and challenges of adoption of e-learning for continuing professional development. The major benefits of e-learning were that e-learning opens up new frontiers for professional learning, supports knowledge generation and management and gives librarians an opportunity to broaden their knowledge. However, the major challenges to adopting e-learning for continuing professional development were inadequate power supply, inadequate knowledge of how to operate e-learning tools and limited bandwidth.
Practical implications
– This paper establishes that the role of academic librarians in the provision of information for learning and study in academic institutions places them in an advantageous position to engage in e-learning activities for professional development. It also extols the need for top library management to deploy all resources within their reach to develop technology-enhanced learning system. This should also be complemented with the development and implementation of e-learning curriculum in library schools in Nigeria to inculcate e-learning culture.
Originality/value
– The paper contributes to empirical research on e-learning for continuing professional development among librarians in Nigeria. Librarians who are interested in professional development will find this article useful.
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