CULTURAL ATTITUDES OF LIBRARY PERSONNEL AND THEIR READINESS FOR THE GLOBAL LIBRARY WORK ENVIRONMENT

This study focuses on the cultural attitudes of library personnel with emphasis on their readiness for the global library work environment. It discusses the various attitudes exhibited by library personnel and how they affect their work in general. A total of 133 copies of questionnaire were administered on respondents selected from 3 libraries, out of which only 119 were returned with useful responses. The three libraries sampled were the libraries of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), University of Lagos (UNILAG) and the University of Ibadan (UI). The study revealed that the library personnel still exhibit some negative cultural attitudinal traits like speaking evil about other employees and/or spreading rumours and grapevine conversations, backbiting about the managers or co-workers, non-compliment of the good works of others but rather trying to pull them down by speaking negative words, lack of support for professional development and non-confidential attitudes towards organisational secrets. All these make library personnel ill-equipped for the global library work environment. The study further reveals that the global library work environment is characterised by movement from traditional to modern libraries, resource sharing (including inter-library loans), provision of library quality services, information literacy programmes, library promotion and marketing, and adequate staff training. For the library personnel to be fully ready for the global library work environment, the paper suggests the treatment of co-workers with respect, while library managers should take time to observe and uncover the causes of negative attitudes in the workplace, including proper employee engagement. Change must start from the top as leaders serve as role models for the desired cultural attitudes from employees, while managers should share success with others and praise those who make things happen, among others