Staff Development Policy in University Libraries in Nigeria: A Reality or Mirage

Abstract

Staff development policy is key to enhancing as well as sustaining the capacities and skills of library staff for the provision of effective services and personal development in the digital era. This study therefore, examined the staff training policies operating in federal university libraries in Southwest, Nigeria. The study purposively selected 4 federal universities in the south-west, Nigeria. The total population for the study was 163 library personnel. The study adopted a descriptive survey design while the questionnaire was used to gather data for the study. Total enumeration technique was adopted to ensure robust participation of library personnel, while one hundred and twenty-nine (129) library personnel filled and returned the questionnaire.  Findings revealed that all the libraries operated both written and unwritten policies, few respondents across all the universities had access to the written policies (42.6%) and at least 60% in each university adjudged the policies as unfavourable to them. Less than half of the respondents were sponsored by their universities, the policies in place did not assist in the development of a majority of the library personnel into modern-day library staff (written 70%; unwritten 74.7%). There was a positive correlation (r= 0.257; p<0.03) between staff development policy and staff development programmes attended by the library staff. The study recommended that university libraries should ensure that appropriate staff training policies are put in place. Furthermore, enough funds should be made available for capacity building of staff to enable them to function effectively in this digital age.