Investigation into the factors that affect a New Zealand library assistant's decision to become a librarian

Abstract

This report describes a quantitative study into the factors that influence New Zealand library assistants' decisions and motivations as to whether or not to obtain library qualifications, and pursue librarianship as a career. A cross-section of New Zealand library assistants; current library studies students; and recent librarian graduates (who were previously employed as library assistants) were surveyed. The study based itself upon Victor Vroom's Expectancy Theory, which focuses on what factors influence a person to pursue a particular course of action. The aim of the survey was to identify whether a person's experience as a library assistant, or personal or demographic factors, were more important in influencing a person's decision regarding pursuing or not pursuing librarianship. The survey found that a person's library assistant experience was influential in their decision, but personal factors such as family commitments and ability to afford to study were the most important factors stopping library assistants from pursuing library studies.