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Recruitment and retention in the public library – a baseline study

Bob Usherwood (Professor of Librarianship, Department of Information Studies, the University of Sheffield)
Richard Proctor (Lecturer, Department of Information Studies, the University of Sheffield)
Gordon Bower (Research Associate, Department of Information Studies, the University of Sheffield)
Tony Stevens (Research Associate, Department of Information Studies, the University of Sheffield)
Carol Coe (Research Assistant, Department of Information Studies, the University of Sheffield)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 1 March 2000

2050

Abstract

Reports the first stage of an investigation into the public library workforce in the UK. The investigation consisted of a postal survey of all UK public library authorities and had an 80 per cent response rate. Information and data were collected concerning recruitment and retention. The results indicate a high level of variation in attitudes and practices. There is evidence that some authorities that have career development initiatives are twice as likely to be actively recruiting candidates, and a statistically significant relationship between the length of stay of new professionals and ongoing career development. There is evidence of a new trend in recruitment which emphasises specific qualities, skills and abilities which candidates offer, rather than possession of a single qualification. It was found that there is staff retention by default.

Keywords

Citation

Usherwood, B., Proctor, R., Bower, G., Stevens, T. and Coe, C. (2000), "Recruitment and retention in the public library – a baseline study", Library Management, Vol. 21 No. 2, pp. 62-80. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120010309399

Publisher

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MCB UP Ltd

Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited

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