International Journal of Academic Research in Education and Review

Vol. 11(3), pp. 49-84, July 2023

ISSN: 2360-7866

https://doi.org/10.14662/ijarer2023090

 

Full Length Research

 

 

Mentoring, Motivation and Job Satisfaction of Librarians in Federal and State University Libraries in Southern Nigeria

 

Ajala, Isaac Olugbenga PhD

 

Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Computer Science and Informatics Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Corresponding E-mail: ioajala@lautech.edu.ng  

Accepted 15 July 2023

Abstract

Abstract: Job satisfaction is significant to librarians to ensure effective performance in service delivery. However, extant literature and anecdotal evidence indicated that job satisfaction among university libraries in Nigeria was low. Mentoring (career support, psychosocial support and role modelling support) and motivation (responsibility, achievement and job security) are required to enable librarians have job satisfaction (recognition, promotion, conducive work environment, and remuneration) in university libraries in Southern Nigeria. There is dearth of literature that combines the influence of all these variables. Therefore, the study examined the influence of mentoring and motivation on job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design. The population comprised 563 librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. A sample size of 234 was determined using Taro Yamane formula and stratified proportionate sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A validated, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for the variables ranged from 0.72 to 0.81. A return rate of 90.6% was achieved. Descriptive and inferential (linear and multiple regression) statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings of this study revealed a significant joint influence of mentoring and motivation on job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria (Adj.R2 = 0.801, F(2, 210) = 419.528, p < 0.05). Mentoring (R2 = 0.525, β = 0.725, t(211) = 15.127, p< 0.05) and motivation (R2 = 0.796, β = 0892, t(211) = 28.608, p< 0.05) significantly influenced job satisfaction of librarians. Mentoring indicators: psychosocial support (β = 0.626, t(211) = 4.760, p< 0.05) significantly influenced job satisfaction of librarians, while career support (β = 0.216, t(211) = 1.379, p> 0.05) and role modelling support (β = 0.626, t(211) = 4.23, p> 0.05) had no significant influence on job satisfaction. Motivation indicators: Responsibility (β = 0.098, t(211) = 1.974, p< 0.05), achievement (β = 0.280, t(211) = 6.659, p< 0.05) and job security (β = 0.611, t(211) = 12.503, p< 0.05) significantly influenced job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. The study concluded that mentoring and motivation contributed to job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. It was recommended that the university administration should make effort to sustain satisfaction by making policies that would enhance job satisfaction, giving attention to motivational needs. The library management should ensure that career support and role modelling be instituted and encouraged among librarians in Southern Nigeria.

 

Key Words: Career support, Job satisfaction, Mentoring in libraries, Motivation in libraries, Psychosocial support, Role modelling support Economics.

Paper type: research