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Recruitment and retention of information professionals: library leaders’ perspectives in Pakistan

Recruitment and retention of information professionals: library leaders’ perspectives in Pakistan This study aims to highlight the issues and concerns specific to information professionals (IPs) in academic libraries of Pakistan. It identifies the problems that academic libraries face in attracting and hiring competent IPs along with the strategies to be used to recruit and retain them in the dynamic environment of academia. Moreover, it provides a list of required skills that employers would look for while hiring IPs in academic settings.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews of 20 library leaders involved in hiring process were conducted from 16 public and private sector universities.FindingsFindings identified interpersonal skills as the most desired followed by the subject knowledge and IT orientation while hiring IPs for the present and foreseeable future. Good salary package, conducive work environment with opportunities for learning and continuing professional development and speedy promotion were significant perceived factors to attract and retain the talented professionals in university library settings.Practical implicationsThe study would be helpful for policymakers and administrators to hire and retain the IPs capable of developing user-centered services in academic libraries.Originality/valuePractical suggestions made for hiring, retaining and developing IPs in academic libraries would be beneficial for other developing countries with similar context. It addressed an unexplored area in the context of a developing country and reported original research that will assist policy and decision-makers to hire and retain competent human resources. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Global Knowledge Memory and Communication Emerald Publishing

Recruitment and retention of information professionals: library leaders’ perspectives in Pakistan

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References (36)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
2514-9342
DOI
10.1108/gkmc-01-2019-0003
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This study aims to highlight the issues and concerns specific to information professionals (IPs) in academic libraries of Pakistan. It identifies the problems that academic libraries face in attracting and hiring competent IPs along with the strategies to be used to recruit and retain them in the dynamic environment of academia. Moreover, it provides a list of required skills that employers would look for while hiring IPs in academic settings.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews of 20 library leaders involved in hiring process were conducted from 16 public and private sector universities.FindingsFindings identified interpersonal skills as the most desired followed by the subject knowledge and IT orientation while hiring IPs for the present and foreseeable future. Good salary package, conducive work environment with opportunities for learning and continuing professional development and speedy promotion were significant perceived factors to attract and retain the talented professionals in university library settings.Practical implicationsThe study would be helpful for policymakers and administrators to hire and retain the IPs capable of developing user-centered services in academic libraries.Originality/valuePractical suggestions made for hiring, retaining and developing IPs in academic libraries would be beneficial for other developing countries with similar context. It addressed an unexplored area in the context of a developing country and reported original research that will assist policy and decision-makers to hire and retain competent human resources.

Journal

Global Knowledge Memory and Communication – Emerald Publishing

Published: Sep 10, 2019

Keywords: Pakistan; Retention; University libraries; Human resources; Hiring-information professionals; Library leaders

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