Vol. 10(3), pp. 138--150. April, 2022. 

ISSN: 2360-7858

https://doi.org/10.14662/ijalis2022080

 

Full Length Research

 

Abstract

Job satisfaction is of paramount importance to the librarians to ensure effective performance in service delivery. In spite of the significance of job satisfaction to librarians in university libraries in Nigeria, extant literature and anecdotal evidence indicated it was low. Mentoring (career support, psychosocial support and role modelling support) is needed to enable librarians to have job satisfaction (recognition, promotion, conducive work environment, and remuneration) in libraries in Southern Nigeria. There is dearth of literature that combines these variables. Therefore, the study examined the influence of mentoring on job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design. The population comprised 563 librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. A sample size of 234 was determined using Taro Yamane formula and stratified proportionate sampling technique was used to select the respondents. A validated, structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Cronbach’s alpha reliability coefficients for the variables ranged from 0.72 to 0.81. A return rate of 90.6% was achieved. Descriptive and inferential (linear and multiple regression) statistics were used to analyse the data. The findings of this study revealed a significant influence of mentoring on job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria (Adj.R2 = 0.801, F(2, 362) = 419.528, p < 0.05). Mentoring (R2 = 0.725, β = 0.725, t(212) = 15.127, p < 0.05) significantly influenced job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. Mentoring indicators: psychosocial support (β = 0.626, t(212) = 4.760, p < 0.05) significantly influenced job satisfaction of librarians. However, career support (β = 0.216, t(212), = 1.379, p > 0.05) and role modelling support (β = 0.626, t(212) = 4.23, p > 0.05) did not significantly influenced job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. The study concluded that mentoring contributed to job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. The study recommended that the university administration should make effort to sustain satisfaction by making policies that will enhance job satisfaction, giving attention to mentoring functions. The library management should ensure that career support and role modelling be instituted and encouraged among librarians in Southern Nigeria.

 

Keywords: Job satisfaction, Mentoring in libraries, Motivation in libraries, career support, psychosocial support, role modelling support

 

	Cite This Article As: Unegbu, V.E., Ajala, O.I (2022). Mentoring and job satisfaction of librarians in federal and state university libraries in Southern Nigeria. Inter. J. Acad. Lib. Info. Sci. 10(3):138-150