Constraints to continuing education of practising librarians in academic libraries in Imo State

Abstract

This work focuses on the deterrents to the continuing education of practising librarians in academic libraries in Imo state. A survey research design was adopted for the study. The main instrument for data collection is a questionnaire schedule. It is designed and distributed to the forty-eight (48) professional librarians of the five academic libraries in Imo State, namely, Federal University of Technology Library, Owerri; Imo State University Library, Owerri; Federal Polytechnic Library, Nekede, Owerri; Alvan Ikoku College of Education Library, Owerri and Michael Okpara College of Agriculture and Technology, Umuagwo, The researcher visited the libraries to administer the questionnaire personally while data collected were analyzed descriptively using tables, percentages and frequency distribution. Among the constraints to continuing education as identified by the study are: favouritism, lack of top management support, lack of efficient succession and career plans by the library, lack of interest / indifference of practising librarians themselves, family commitment, inadequacy of fund and the artificiality of most continuing education packages and settings. The paper recommends that heads of academic libraries and institutions should ensure equity and fairness in recommending staff for continuing education while any staff who wishes to sponsor themselves should be promptly released and rewarded quickly at the end of his/her education or training. Finally, the Nigerian Library Association is urged to make the continuing education programmes it offers to its members more relevant to the work demands of librarians.