Perceptions and Barriers to Scholarly Publishing Among Librarians in Ghana and Uganda

Implications for Practice: Academic libraries should restructure workloads, integrate research into performance appraisals, offer mentorship, and build a supportive research culture. These practical steps can foster a culture of research among librarians and promote their visibility within academia. Introduction: Librarians contribute significantly to research support in academic institutions, but are often underrepresented as contributors to scholarly publishing. Their limited involvement may hinder career advancement and reduce professional recognition. Literature Review: The library and information science literature points to a growing awareness of the importance of research and publishing among librarians. However, studies have shown that across sub-Saharan Africa, librarians often face institutional, cultural, and structural barriers to scholarly publishing, with few comparative studies exploring this issue across countries in the region. Methods: This qualitative study used purposive sampling to interview 28 librarians from Ghana and Uganda, analyzing responses thematically to explore perceptions and challenges of scholarly publishing. Results: Findings show that librarians in both countries view scholarly publishing as essential for professional growth and visibility. However, actual publishing engagement is low due to time constraints, heavy workloads, lack of institutional support, and absence of mentorship. Discussion: The study reveals a disconnect between librarians’ appreciation of the value of publishing and their practical ability to engage in it. The challenges identified suggest systemic and institutional shortcomings that need to be addressed. Without targeted interventions, librarians’ scholarly voices will remain underrepresented. Conclusion: To strengthen the research culture among librarians in Ghana and Uganda, deliberate interventions are needed at the institutional and professional levels.