“But I’m not a leader, I’m a librarian” : A survey on motivation to lead among library and information science educated employees in Norwegian public libraries

There is a notion that library and information science (LIS) educated professionals are unwilling to take on leadership responsibilities. However, this has not been systematically documented. Therefore, this study’s aim is to provide empirical knowledge about LIS educated professionals’ willingness to become leaders, and what motivates them to become and stay leaders – or not. Based on research on what leaders do, what motivates people to lead, and former library leadership studies, a survey was conducted among employees in Norwegian public libraries. 210 respondents completed the survey. Most of the respondents were leaders (63,8 %), and 9 % wanted to become leaders. The study provides no evidence that LIS educated professionals are unwilling to take on leadership responsibilities. Further, we find that 70 % of all respondents agree that library leaders are satisfied in their job. The study gives important insight into what motivates LIS professionals to lead or not. Reasons to become a leader are first and foremost a drive to develop and change libraries. Leadership tasks are considered exciting and stimulating. The study also suggests a relatively lower need for affiliation among those who become leaders. Reasons not to become a leader are fear of losing LIS tasks (e.g. fear of losing affiliation to the profession), to avoid budgeting and human resources tasks, lack of competence, to avoid responsibility, stress, and/or a heavy workload, lack of resources in public libraries, not holding “the traits of leaders”, and that the salary doesn’t make up for the disadvantages.