Career choice, satisfaction, and perceptions about their professional image: A study of Kuwaiti librarians

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors affecting career choice, job satisfaction, and perceptions of the public image of librarians in Kuwait.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered via questionnaires sent to 117 professional librarians working in academic, public, and special libraries in Kuwait.

Findings

The study identified factors which influenced the choice of career, sources of satisfaction and dissatisfaction. Respondents reported that they were moderately satisfied with their current job. The results show that extrinsic measures, such as recognition of accomplishment, fair performance evaluation, and job security were ranked in the top and are the most important aspects of job satisfaction, whereas intrinsic measures, such as suitable daily working hours and nature of work, fell close to the bottom of the list. The cause of employee job dissatisfaction occurs in the area of benefits, contingent rewards, communication, salaries, working conditions, and promotions. Recommendations are made to improve the job satisfaction and the public image of librarianship in Kuwait.

Practical implications

The results of the study may provide useful information and practical advice for library managers, library education programs, and professional associations in Kuwait.

Originality/value

This paper is the only study on career choice, job satisfaction, and librarians' image in Kuwait. It is useful to increase the understanding and improve the career choice, job satisfaction, and librarians' image in Kuwait.

Citation

Alansari, H.A. (2011), "Career choice, satisfaction, and perceptions about their professional image: A study of Kuwaiti librarians", Library Review, Vol. 60 No. 7, pp. 575-587. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242531111153597