The benefits and problems of staff development programmes among librarians in selected university libraries in South-South, Nigeria

The study investigated the benefits and problems of staff development programmes among librarians in selected university libraries in South-South, Nigeria. This study employed the descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of all the 86 librarians working in university libraries in selected university libraries (from Delta and Edo States) in South-South, Nigeria. The data obtained from the questionnaire were analyzed using frequency and percentages for the bio-data of the respondents while frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation were used to analyze the data used to answer the research questions. The study revealed the benefits derived from staff development programmes as learning of new skills, improved quality of service, advancement on the job, etc. The study showed the challenges confronting staff development programme as lack of funding by their organization to attend conferences, lack of information about some of the programmes, and lack of practical components in the programmes. The study concluded that while staff development programmes are essential for enhancing professional competencies and improving service delivery among librarians, several systemic and organisational barriers hinder their effectiveness. Based on these findings, it was recommended that university authorities create an enabling environment for library staff to attend regular training programmes such as seminars and conferences organised by library associations. Furthermore, library heads should actively pursue grants and scholarship opportunities to support staff development.