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1 – 10 of 669Library assistants were originally considered to be professional librarians in the making, and were trained accordingly. With the expansion of libraries and librarianship…
Abstract
Library assistants were originally considered to be professional librarians in the making, and were trained accordingly. With the expansion of libraries and librarianship, Britain's “apprenticeship” system of qualification gave way to formal library school education, and a new category of “non‐professional staff” was created, of people who were unwilling or unable to proceed to graduate‐level qualification. The development of non‐professional certificates of competence in the UK is described against parallel developments in the US, Canada and Australia; the COMLA training modules are also examined. The theoretical and practical issues surrounding training are discussed, training schemes and qualifications in the four countries analysed, and the relative merits of in‐house training and external certificate programmes argued.
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Sumaira Hussain and Saira Hanif Soroya
This paper aims to explore the factors affecting the job satisfaction level of paraprofessional staff working in Higher Education Commission (HEC)-recognized public and private…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the factors affecting the job satisfaction level of paraprofessional staff working in Higher Education Commission (HEC)-recognized public and private sector university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The study was quantitative in nature, and survey research method was used. The population of the study was paraprofessionals working in HEC-recognized public and private university central libraries of Lahore. Convenient sampling was used, and five respondents were selected from each university. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire using a pre-developed scale job satisfaction survey by Spector (1985).
Findings
The study reported that respondents were not dissatisfied with their jobs, and still they were standing between “Neutral” and “agree” with all statements of job satisfaction. The nature of job was identified as the most satisfied facet of job satisfaction. It was also observed that a significant difference of job satisfaction was found among respondents having different salary packages. The group with the highest salary was more satisfied than others. Job security proved the factor affecting job satisfaction, as there was significant difference of job satisfaction between permanent and contract-based employees. Permanent nature of job was a reason of satisfaction for the respondents. However, it is interesting that job satisfaction level of public and private sector paraprofessionals did not differ.
Research limitations/implications
Findings of the study clarify that the universities are required to redesign their job recruitment policies and to revise pay scales of paraprofessionals. Most importantly, a gap in communication was also found within organizations which could affect the level of job satisfaction among paraprofessionals. Universities should pay attention to maintain the two-way communication flow from top level management to lower level.
Originality/value
This is probably first study reported from Pakistan on the subject. The findings of the study will help universities to redesign their job recruitment policies and to revise pay scales of paraprofessionals. Most importantly, the findings suggest that universities should pay attention to maintain the two-way communication flow from top level management to lower level.
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Ijeoma Ibegbulam and Jacintha U. Eze
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the training needs of paraprofessional library staff in university libraries in South-East Nigeria with the objective to find out their…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the training needs of paraprofessional library staff in university libraries in South-East Nigeria with the objective to find out their training needs, the training programmes available to them, their utilization of training opportunities, hindrances to their training and strategies for enhancing training for them.
Design/methodology/approach
The descriptive survey design and total enumeration technique were used for the study. The instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. The collected data were analysed using frequency counts and percentages and are presented in tables for clarity. The population of the study was comprised of all the paraprofessional staff of the university libraries in South-East Nigeria.
Findings
Major findings showed that paraprofessional staff had a variety of training needs. The findings also showed that training opportunities available for them were very limited and that staff based their utilization on availability rather than need. Factors such as inadequate training facilities and lack of fund hindered training. Strategies that can enhance training were also indicated.
Practical implications
This study has practical implication as it is an empirical study conducted among paraprofessional library staff to identify their training needs, training opportunities available, utilization of training opportunities, hindrances to their training and strategies that can effectively enhance training for them.
Originality/value
Looking at the objectives of the study and the fact that most researches are focussed on librarians not the support staff (paraprofessionals), it will be useful to library administrators, the library professional field and planners of training programmes.
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Sharon Conley, Jewell Gould and Harriet Levine
Despite the critical role of support personnel in education, the literature about their supervision has been less than informative. In an effort to provide additional guidance to…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the critical role of support personnel in education, the literature about their supervision has been less than informative. In an effort to provide additional guidance to school leaders seeking to improve the supervision of such personnel, the purpose of this paper is to examine and compare three distinct groups of support personnel: school custodians/janitors, school secretaries, and paraprofessionals in special education.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper begins with two analyses. One is that of the general importance of the role of support personnel in public schools in the USA. The other consists of a brief argument as to why the literature about the supervision of support personnel has not been overly informative. The paper proceeds with descriptions of three distinct support personnel groups.
Findings
The examination of three support personnel groups highlights the visibility of the school custodian/janitor, the multi‐dimensional responsibilities of the school secretary, and the background of the paraprofessional in special education.
Research limitations/implications
A comparison of three distinct groups of support personnel has implications for their training, compensation and scheduling, and work design and supervision.
Originality/value
The paper content offers an information‐rich and multi‐faceted view of support personnel in schools, with implications for their overall supervision and the importance of their contribution to the organization.
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Many ex-offenders and substance misusers are employed in the treatment and intervention of offenders. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this role as a protective factor…
Abstract
Purpose
Many ex-offenders and substance misusers are employed in the treatment and intervention of offenders. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this role as a protective factor in the maintenance of desistance.
Design/methodology/approach
Seven paraprofessional employees of a substance misuse service were interviewed using semi-structured interview and analysed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.
Findings
Four super-ordinate themes emerged: “The Fragile Sense of Self”; “Hitting Rock Bottom”; “Belonging and identity” and “Maintaining the role reversal”. These themes captured the journey of moving through crime and substance misuse into desistance and employment.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is small; therefore generalisation is reduced. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) could be considered subjective. Further research should attempt to explore similar ideas with different populations and using different methods.
Practical implications
This work suggests that practitioners and policy makers should look at the vital importance of paraprofessional employment in relation to desistance from crime.
Social implications
Offenders and substance misusers are often left without direction or a fixed new identity, and return to the only life they have known. This study suggests that paraprofessional employment might provide a sense of belonging and identity that could benefit the ex-offender, their clients and society.
Originality/value
This is an opportunity to advance knowledge in the area of paraprofessional employment as an aid to “recovery” and lifelong desistance.
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The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the information and communication technology (ICT) literacy level among the staff of anglophone (English‐speaking) university libraries…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the information and communication technology (ICT) literacy level among the staff of anglophone (English‐speaking) university libraries staff and their counterparts in francophone (French‐speaking) university libraries in West Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted among the professionals, paraprofessionals and “other” members of staff of 28 university libraries comprising 24 anglophone university libraries and four francophone.
Findings
The result of the findings showed that out of about 370 professional librarians, only 179 of them were ICT literate while the remaining 191 professional librarians were ICT non‐literate. This constitutes an overall percentage of 48.38 percent for the literate professionals as against 51.62 percent for ICT non‐literate professionals. Also, out of 526 paraprofessionals, only 84 of them were ICT literate while the remaining 442 were ICT non‐literate. This also constitutes 15.97 percent for the literate paraprofessionals as against 84.03 percent for ICT non‐literate paraprofessionals. Other staff totaled 1,471. Only 190 of them were ICT literate while the remaining 1,281 were ICT non‐literate. This also constitutes 12.92 percent for the literate other members of staff as against 87.08 percent for ICT non‐literate other members of staff.
Research limitations/implications
Only two categories of skills, “literacy” and “illiteracy”, without gradations between these categories could be considered. The questionnaires were not design to catch the grades of these two categories of skills.
Practical implications
The paper concludes that of all the 28 university libraries surveyed, only the 40 Senegal university professional librarians have an ICT literacy level of 100 percent. Thus other West African university libraries should encourage all their professional librarians, as well as other staff, to become ICT literate.
Originality/value
The paper contains original work relating to the differences between English and French‐speaking university staff as regards ICT literacy and as such will be useful for library technology planners and educators.
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Demonstrates the usefulness of the case study method as a learning tool for practising library and information specialists. Conclusions based on findings from a Botswana Library…
Abstract
Demonstrates the usefulness of the case study method as a learning tool for practising library and information specialists. Conclusions based on findings from a Botswana Library Association seminar involving the relationship between professional and paraprofessional staff in which case studies were used. Data on seminar participants’ opinions regarding the case studies were obtained through mail questionnaires. Based on the overwhelming positive response by participants, the case studies were found to be extremely useful at this seminar. Moreover, argues that case studies can be successful at seminars more generally, with suggested case study readers being provided.
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Alison Z. Pyatt, Gillian H. Wright, Keith E. Walley and Emma Bleach
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of value co-creation to the UK animal healthcare sector from the perspective of the key industry stakeholders…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the significance of value co-creation to the UK animal healthcare sector from the perspective of the key industry stakeholders: clients, veterinarians and paraprofessionals.
Design/methodology/approach
Value co-creation constructs in the sector were identified and measured using a mixed methods approach comprised of qualitative NVivo© thematic analysis of depth interviews (n=13) and quantitative exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n=271).
Findings
Qualitative results revealed nine underlying dimensions regarding service delivery in the sector: trustworthiness, communication, value for money, empathy, bespoke, integrated care, tangibles, accessibility and outcome driven service. EFA of professional survey data loaded onto seven latent factors, with strong value co-creation dimensions identified.
Research limitations/implications
The sampling process is sufficiently representative and diverse to present meaningful and valuable results, however, surveying should be extended to include the client group. Due to the originality of the research replication of the study will be beneficial to the broader understanding and application of value co-creation to the high-involvement services of animal healthcare.
Practical implications
Recognition of the importance of value co-creation to the sector should encourage professional stakeholders to develop and adopt integrated models of service provision and to provide improved levels of service quality.
Originality/value
The paper makes an original contribution to knowledge regarding value co-creation in respect of high-involvement service provision. Its findings should be of value to academics interested in value co-creation in service sectors as well as animal healthcare practitioners seeking to offer better value and quality service provision.
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To ascertain the levels of ICT literacy among library staff in a range of Nigerian libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
To ascertain the levels of ICT literacy among library staff in a range of Nigerian libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted among the professionals, paraprofessionals and “other” members of staff of 18 Nigerian university libraries.
Findings
Analysis of the data showed that, on a self‐assessment basis, out of about 268 professional librarians, only 87 (approximately 32 per cent) were ICT‐literate, implying that the remaining 181 (approximately 68 per cent) of professional librarians were ICT‐illiterate. Of the 358 paraprofessionals in those libraries, only 28 (approximately 8 per cent) were ICT‐literate, while the vast majority, some 330 (approximately 92 per cent), were ICT‐illiterate. Of the 1,133 “other” staff members in the survey, a minimal 69 (6 per cent) staff were ICT‐literate, while 1,064 (approximately 94 per cent) were ICT‐illiterate.
Research limitations/implications
The questionnaire basis of the investigation gives room for subjective distortions in assessment of levels of literacy; the investigation only considered two categories of skills, “literacy” and “illiteracy”, without gradations between these categories.
Practical implications
The conclusion reached was that Nigerian university library professionals and paraprofessionals should acquire an enhanced level of ICT literacy: both staff training and an adequate ICT infrastructure were recommended.
Originality/value
The paper gives a representative overview of the attainment level of library staff in an important area of professional competence, and shows the importance of addressing the gap between the desired levels of ICT literacy and the actual levels.
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The paper aims to discern, document, and analyze current staffing trends in college and university libraries.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to discern, document, and analyze current staffing trends in college and university libraries.
Design/methodology/approach
The author gathered information from the literatures of library and information science and higher education.
Findings
The paper details six trends across public and technical services affecting librarians, non‐MLS professionals, and paraprofessionals. The presentation of trends is followed by a discussion of three concerns the author has about these trends.
Research limitations/implications
The paper covers trends in college and university libraries but does not specifically address community college libraries. Community colleges may have similar issues, as well as unique trends; further research is encouraged.
Practical implications
Library managers will be able to compare developments in their libraries to the profession‐wide trends. They will also be able to link to a large body of literature on the topic.
Originality/value
This kind of comprehensive look at academic library staffing does not seem to have been published recently.
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