Mentoring Strategies in Use for Professional Development of Librarians in South-East Federal University Libraries

Abstract

Purpose: The study investigated the mentoring strategies used for professional development of librarians in south-eastern federal university libraries. Methodology: Descriptive survey design was adopted for this study. The population comprised one hundred and twenty- nine (129) academic librarians. The entire population was studied. Five research questions guided the study. One instrument, titled “Mentoring Strategies for Professional Development of Librarians Questionnaire” (MSPDLQ) was used for the study. Data obtained were analyzed using mean ratings. Findings: The major findings include that informal mentoring is the main strategy in use for professional development of librarians (with mean scores of 3.71,3.57 and 3.12); participation in professional association and provision of sponsorship for conferences, seminar are the only programmes through which librarians are mentored (with mean scores of 3.45 and 3.30); the librarians were emphatic on the benefits of mentoring (with mean scores between 3.51 and 3.43); the challenges to effective mentoring among librarians include unconstructive criticism by the mentor to the mentee, broken confidentially by both the mentor and the mentee, absence of mentoring orientation in librarianship, (with mean scores of 3.30, 3,24 and 3.16); and some suggested ways to overcome challenges to effective mentoring include willingness of the mentor and the mentee to listen and learn from each other, adequate training should be organized for both mentors and mentees, (with mean scores of 3.57 and 3.53). Implications: From the findings it implies that the mentoring relationships available are accessible only to a few employees and its benefits are limited only to those few who are participants and if different mentoring strategies are available and mentoring programmes established librarians’ professional development needs will be met. Value/Originality: The study’s educational value rest on the recommendations that university libraries should explore different mentoring strategies like formal, peer and group. The university management should establish and develop mentoring programmes which will meet the needs of both the staff and institutions.