The value Pacific Youth place on librarianship as a potential career

Abstract

Research Problem: The purpose of this research is to uncover the value Pacific Youth place on librarianship as a viable career or future profession.

Methodology: This research employs qualitative research methods. This fits with the Talanoa method recommended for research with Pacific people. Four focus groups were conducted with the smallest having four members, and the largest with 10. Overall, there were 25 participants. There were 16 questions divided into five sections: Future goals/aspirations; Assumptions/personal views on libraries; Recruitment; Professionalism and Qualifications.

Key Findings: The LIS is not an industry or profession Pacific Youth are actively looking at for the future. This is due to their perceptions, the perceptions of the Pacific community as a whole, and the general low activity from the LIS in changing those perceptions. In order to lift recruiting levels amongst Pacific Youth, the LIS need to ‘go where the students are’ and show the amazing and influential work it does in our communities and society.

Implications: The information received from the participants remains consistent with what the literature says in this area, even though there are very few domestic resources on the subject. This research uncovers the reasons and attitudes for why there is low value placed on librarianship as a viable career by Pacific Youth, and offers up ways in dealing with these. The desire for this research is that both Pacific Youth would find value in the LIS as a rewarding profession to work in, and that the LIS becomes more rounded and developed as it increases its diversity.