Analysis of the employee recruitment practices within New Zealand public libraries outside of the three main centres : library manager perceptions of the opportunities and barriers

Abstract

This research project studies the extent to which employee recruitment is considered to be a problem within New Zealand public libraries outside of the three main centres, by analysing the perceptions and experiences of several volunteer public library managers in those areas. It concentrates on the perceived opportunities and barriers that they face when attempting to recruit employees into their organisations. Four volunteer Public Library managers from regions outside of the three main centres were interviewed on the following areas: Background information. Current situation. Motivation. Barriers. Opportunities. Implications. From those interviews, the managers identified the following barriers that confront them when attempting to recruit new employees: Compensation package. Image of the profession. Location. Reputation of the organisation. Job description and work conditions. Perceived lack of opportunities.The opportunities they identified are as follows: Image of the library and its parent organisation. Opportunity that the position offers the recruit. Service related profession. Lifestyle. Cost of living. It was established that the managers interviewed have a high level of input into their promotional and advertising packages, but did not transfer all of the identified opportunities into those packages. This was considered by the researcher to be the main factor that was causing the current level of concern regarding recruitment.