Anne Pemberton

Personality, Career Satisfaction, and Life Satisfaction: Test of a Directional Model

A conceptual model proposing paths from personality traits to career satisfaction and life satisfaction and from career satisfaction to life satisfaction was evaluated in a field study by structural equations modeling using LISREL 8. Participants were a convenience sample of 1,352 information science professionals. An exploratory maximum likelihood common factor analysis revealed two oblique personality factors, the first comprised of extraversion, optimism, assertiveness, openness, and emotional stability and the second consisting of conscientiousness and tough-mindedness. Results indicated a good fit for a two-factor personality model showing significant links between both personality factors and career satisfaction, between the second personality factor and life satisfaction, and between career and life satisfaction. Findings are discussed in terms of comparisons to previous research, limitations, and areas for further research, with emphasis on the importance of personality in relation to career satisfaction and the relationship between career and life satisfaction.

An Investigation of Career and Job Satisfaction in Relation to Personality Traits of Information Professionals

This study collected data on personality characteristics, job satisfaction, and career satisfaction from more than 1,300 information professionals. Respondents included academic reference librarians, archivists, catalogers, distance education librarians, public librarians, records managers, school media specialists, special librarians, systems librarians, and other information professionals who responded to listserv requests or picked up questionnaires at a national library conference. Significant correlations were obtained between personality variables and both career and job satisfaction. Stepwise regression analyses were performed, revealing that five variables (Optimism, Emotional Stability, Teamwork, Visionary Work Style, and Work Drive) accounted for 20 percent of the variance in job satisfaction. Four variables accounted for 19 percent of the variance in career satisfaction (Optimism, Work Drive, Emotional Resilience, and Assertiveness). Hierarchical regression analyses were performed to test Lounsbury et al.’s general composite measure of Emotional Resilience, Work Drive, and Optimism as predictors of job and career satisfaction. These variables accounted for 18 percent of the variance in job satisfaction and 19 percent of the variance in career satisfaction. Recommendations for employers to help with hiring and managing information professionals were made.

Personality traits of individuals in different specialties of librarianship

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate whether academic reference librarians, archivists, catalogers, distance education librarians, public librarians, records managers, school librarians, special collections librarians, and systems librarians differ in personality traits measured by the Personal Style Inventory: i.e. adaptability, assertiveness, autonomy, conscientiousness, customer service orientation, emotional resilience, extraversion, openness, optimism, teamwork, tough‐mindedness, visionary/operational work style, and work drive. It also aims to investigate whether personality traits of those in person‐oriented library specialties differ from those in technique‐oriented (technical) library specialties.Design/methodology/approach – A total of 2,075 librarians/information professionals were surveyed in non‐random sample. The Personal Style Inventory is a normal personality inventory assessing important traits for the world of work. It was used in a two‐step cluster analysis for the data analysis.Fin...

Ensuring a level playing field: creating an information literacy exam for transfer students

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to highlight the steps taken by the library, English faculty and administrative stakeholders to create an information literacy exam for transfer students. Design/methodology/approach The paper outlines the need for the exam, the student learning outcomes assessed by the exam, the process by which test questions were created and the technology used to create and deliver the exam. Findings Experiences and suggestions relevant to developing an information literacy exam and a related website portal and tutorials are provided. Originality/value The report will have significant value to anyone considering implementing their own original information literacy exam and those seeking advice on test question creation and development.

Minding the gap

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to outline a useful model for identifying and addressing employee performance issues in academic libraries, specifically in a Learning Commons.Design/methodology/approach – The Human Performance Technology (HPT) model created by the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) was used to identify employee performance issues in a newly created Learning Commons at a mid‐size academic library.Findings – Applying the HPT model to a Learning Commons enabled the authors to identify organizational and employee performance issues and identify solutions to these issues. The HPT model was deemed a useful tool for addressing performance issues.Research limitations/implications – Little research has been published using the HPT model in libraries and more research should be performed to determine the suitability of this model for libraries. It should be acknowledged that the model is used to identify weaknesses and any organization using this model will likely uncov...

Transforming for our transfers: the creation of a transfer student services librarian

PurposeThis paper aims to describe the unique library, research and information literacy skills that transfer students need, specifically at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, which led to the creation, recruitment and appointment of a Transfer Student Services Librarian at William Madison Randall Library (Randall Library).Design/methodology/approachAlong with a brief review of the relevant literature, this paper describes the specific needs that were identified that led to the creation of the position; the unique gaps in information skills that transfer students have; how the university was addressing the needs of transfer students; how the library became focused on the needs of this population of students; how the library began collaborating with campus partners to address these needs; and, to date, how the position has impacted transfer students.FindingsAn increase in the number of transfer students from community colleges, four year institutions and military service combined with the institution’s information literacy curriculum requirements, led to the creation of a new position called “Transfer Student Services Librarian”.Practical implicationsAcademic libraries wishing to explore the creation of such a position, or wanting to assess their own institution’s needs for their transfer student population, will benefit from this paper.Originality/valueFew, if any, libraries have adopted a position specifically for transfer student services and this paper addresses how to assess the need and decide on practical applications for other academic libraries.