Motivation for participation in continuing library education
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Date
1982
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the factors motivating librarians to participate in continuing education. A questionnaire to accomplish this task was developed through the use of the Delphi Technique. The questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 550 librarians throughout the southwestern United States. The data collected resulted in the identification of twenty-two factors that are motivators for at least some segments of the population. Through multiple regression, the data were used to test a model proposed by Grotelueschen and Caulley for predicting future participation in continuing education. This model did not prove to be a valid predictor for the library profession on the population sampled. To place the motivational factors identified in this study in the context of motivational literature, the concluding chapter views the factors in terms of Maslow's hierarchy of needs; Houle's goal-oriented, activity-oriented, and learning-oriented types of participation; and Herzberg's motivators and hygiene factors. Those seven items which were shown to be significant when compared with past participation in group activities and with anticipated future participation, and were additionally identified as Herzberg motivators, were determined to be the strongest motivational factors for the library profession as a whole. These are: (1) Intellectual challenge and stimulation, (2) Gaining a greater sense of competence, (3) Improvement of professional service, (4) Better service to clients, (5) Increasing one's specialized skill, (6) Commitment of the profession to continuing education, and (7) Personal commitment to continuing education.
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Includes bibliographical references (leaves 103-106)
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Adult and Extension Education