Librarians’ Image and Students’ Career Choice: The Report from Babcock University, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the perception of librarians’ professional image and how it affects the career choice decision of students of Information Resources Management (IRM). The descriptive research design was used for the study. The study population comprised of 185 students 400 and 300 levels respectively. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire and analysed using frequency counts and percentage. Findings revealed that most of the respondents have a positive perception of librarians as well as the library profession. The study also affirmed that attitude rather than media portrayals have greater impact on how people perceive librarians/the library profession. Career choice was found to be mostly influenced by academic ability, personal interest and learning experience rather than gender, parental choice, salary or image associated with the profession. Based on the findings, the study concluded that librarians are no longer tied down by negative media portrayals associated with the early 1920s and recommended that librarians conduct themselves in a manner that would promote the image of the library profession; relate well with students and library users and employ the use of modern technology in the teaching of library based courses in order to stimulate interest, enhance academic abilities and make students more willing to embrace the library profession.