Significance of continuous professional development in enhancing job performance of librarians in federal university libraries in North-Central, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the significance of continuous professional development (CPD) in enhancing job performance of librarians working in federal university libraries in North-Central, Nigeria. Three research questions guided the study in line with the objectives. Descriptive research design was used and the target population of eighty-two librarians in the three selected federal university libraries in North-Central, Nigeria were adopted for the study. A close ended structured questionnaire was designed and used. Frequency counts, percentages, mean scores and standard deviation were statistical tools used for data analysis. Results showed that most types of continuous professional development listed were available, most of the university libraries do not organise regular training for their personnel and sponsor each librarian for CPD on annual basis and among others. The study concluded that regular training for librarians would enhance their job performance and can lead to high productivity. The study recommended that university libraries under study should organise regular training and re-training for librarians and implore them to utilise other ways of training such as short courses, clinics, study tours, virtual conferences, workshops and seminars which are more effective and less expensive. There should be good and flexible existing CPD policy and conditions and requirements attached to CPD by the universities management should be made flexible and staff should be motivated by regular promotion as at when due and best performing staff should be rewarded.