JOB PROSPECTS FOR LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE GRADUATES IN NIGERIA

1.1 Introduction

Job prospect is the job Opportunity with good chances of future success; it is a collection of techniques adopted by an Organization on the basis of consensus to encourage her employees towards the attainment of the goals of such Organization. Job prospects in librarianship have been observed that not many graduates of Nigerian Universities apply to study library and Information science (LIS) in the first instance but as a last resort. This situation is unwholesome for the future of LIS profession in Nigeria. Job satisfaction is a complex and multifaceted concept, which can mean different things to different people. It is more of an attitude, in internal state. School libraries are very essential in primary and secondary education. They are established and maintained to serve and support the educational activities of the school.

As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.

1.2 Background of Study

The library is a store house of information and information of life, for decision making, business, effective planning, communication, research and advancement, and so we cannot do without it. The developed countries of the world appreciate the role of information. Today Nigeria being a developing country has just realized the need for libraries as information store house and for this reason, there are today various type of libraries. Public libraries, National libraries, school libraries Academic libraries, special libraries of Nigeria, each rendering information services to their different communities of users. Libraries and librarianship have evolved overtime in Nigeria, However, they have not yet gained a proper place Institutions and possession in the country. In spite of the rice knowledge and information resources available in libraries, librarianship is among the least sought after possessions in Nigeria (Okoro, 2009).

Generally speaking strong academic background breeds good career. Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers and Accounts are traditionally held in high esteem because they all demand solid academic background, However, there are some other profession that require advance education but never receiver due respect librarianship is a profession that is dedicated to serve the general public, providing timely and accurate information, thus contributing to the development of society.

Igbinosa (2007) maintained that people, particularly students, do not like to pursue a career in librarianship. They do not realize that librarians are unsung heroes behind the successful stories of students, researchers, medical doctor etc.

Graduates in library and information science are catering for the service and operations. The library has been accepted as an important profession librarian come together and interact with the Nigerian library Association (NLA) which for years has been the linkage through its Annual General meeting, conference, seminars, workshops and other activities both at National and state level. Despite all efforts of Nigerian library Association and the services of libraries and librarians, the graduates, has not attained its full development as other graduates like medical graduates, Engineering, legal and Nursing etc. Both professional Librarians and students' librarians feel inferior; thus leading to their Inability to stand and defend themselves and their profession in the face of other.

Library and Information science has been not recognized until only in (1995) that it became recognized by the federal Government of Nigeria through the promulgation of Nigerians (Registration,) etc Council of Nigeria Decree 12, 1995. As a matter of fact, this can be applied to the job prospects, having live a life studying library and Information Science for a specific number of years; this is particularly true of our choice of Job in Library and Information science owing to our abilities, performances, comprehensiveness. As it is, the Longman Dictionary of contemporary English defends Job prospects. As job Opportunity with good chance of future success.

An employee would therefore require being motivated to the fulfillment of his Job, jobs are design for people and not people for jobs man labour in order to gratify his physical, social and psychological needs. The motivation itself is determined by factors such as Job Opportunities, according to Longman Dictionary English says that job prospects is a collection of the basis of consensus, co-operation and consensus to encourage her employees towards the attainment of the goals of such Organization.

Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Job Prospects for Library and Information Science Graduates.

1.3 Statement of Problems

Investigation revealed that most school libraries in Nigeria are stocked with foreign books that are not only obsolete but alien to the experiences and background of the Nigerian students. Moreover, literature appears to indicate that student’ poor academic achievements in schools are connected with the low standards manifest in the school libraries. However, it is important to point out that the researcher is not unaware of the fact that factors like clear lines of communication, adequate reward system and promotional opportunities could also encourage or discourage both positive and negative work outcomes which if not adequately put in place could result in turnover of these employees.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of the study is to examine the Job Prospects for Library and Information Science Graduates in Nigeria. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:

1. To ascertain the views of librarians in Nigeria on the value of a library and information science degree;
2. To determine the types of job recruitment librarians in Nigeria are engaged in;
3. To find out the obstacles to engaging in job opportunity among librarians in Nigeria;
4. To ascertain whether librarians in Nigeria have job opportunities; and
5. To ascertain the strategies that can be employed to enhance librarians’ engaging in side business.

1.5 Research Questions

The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:

• Are you satisfied with your job?
• Is your choice of librarianship in conformity with your talents, Abilities, Aptitude and general Inclination?
• Do you intend to continue with librarianship as a profession?
• Does a librarian in Nigeria have job opportunities?
• What are the views of librarians in Nigeria on the value of a library and information science degree?
• What are the types of job recruitment librarians in Nigeria are engaged in?
• What are the obstacles to engaging in side business among librarians in Nigeria?
• What are the strategies that can be employed to enhance librarians’ engaging in jobs?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.

Hypothesis One

• H0: There is no significant factor inhibiting job procurement among Library and Information Science Graduates in Nigeria
• H1: There is a significant factor inhibiting job procurement among Library and Information Science Graduates in Nigeria

1.7 Significance of Study

The study is important as it will highlight the factors that employees view as enhancing job satisfaction leading to improved employee performance within their organizational context. The management of companies and organizations will find the research helpful in improving staff morale and bringing about job satisfaction of their employees.

An employee who achieves success in his or her job and whose needs are met in the work place would be a happy employee that would strive to maintain excellence. In addition, the study will recommend adoptable policies and strategies for mitigating organizational correlates of job dissatisfaction.

This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.

1.8 Scope of Study

The scope of the research is focused on the Job Prospects for Library and Information Science Graduates in Nigeria.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:

1. Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
2. Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this establishment to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
3. Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
4. Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
5. Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

1.10 Definition of Terms

Job: job is pieces of work under taking for a fixed price.

Library: Library is a storehouse of Information and Information is very essential in every aspect of life for business, decision making and advancement.

Job Prospects: This is the job Opportunity with good chances of future success; it is a collection of techniques adopted by an Organization on the basis of consensus to encourage her employees towards the attainment of the goals of such Organization.