UNDERSTANDING LIBRARIANS’ MOTIVATION TO PARTICIPATE IN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Abstract

It is widely recognized that change in libraries requires staff to pursue professional development and workplace learning opportunities. Libraries can provide a supportive environment for staff, but staff must be motivated to take up the opportunities and learn to adopt new roles, innovate new services and master new technologies. Motivation is the most important factor determining participation in professional development. The results of a study of the participation of reference librarians in large urban public libraries in Ontario, Canada, in 2001 are reported. The study examined the role of factors such as professional commitment, age, barriers to participation, organizational climate, managerial support and motivation on the participation of 553 reference librarians in formal and informal professional development. Motivation emerged as the most important factor determining the time spent in professional development activities, including courses, workshops, conferences, reading the literature, discussions with colleagues and on-the-job training. The intrinsic rewards of professional development activities are perceived as more attainable than extrinsic rewards. Implications of these findings for policies and practices related to professional development include the provision of tangible and achievable rewards for pursuing professional development, and the recognition of the role of managers and supervisors in encouraging participation in professional development activities.