IMPACT OF MENTORING ON CAREER ADVANCEMENT AMONG LIBRARIANS OF FEDERAL HIGHER INSTITUTIONS IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE

Abstract

The study examined the impact of mentoring on career advancement among librarians of Federal College of Education and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Population comprises all librarians of Federal College of Education and Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State. Simple sampling technique was used to select ten (10) librarians staff from each of the chosen institutions to make a total of twenty (20) as sample the study. Two research questions were used for the study. A self-developed questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. It was developed in 2 Likert scale of Agree and Disagree. The instrument was moderated by experts who affirmed its validity. Reliability of the instrument was determined using Cronbach Alpha. Data collected were analyzed using simple percentage and standard deviation statistical tools. Findings revealed that, mentoring is a tool in career development and advancement of librarians, it gives individuals the opportunity to be mentored in order to develop their career and makes them feel important by the organization. It is also beneficial to the library in fostering its image and objectives. Mentoring has the capacity of driving young librarians in discovering abilities and options they think they cannot. The adequately mentored young librarians contribute significantly to the decision making and provide better alternatives in fostering the aims and objectives of library. Therefore, Nigerian Library Association should continually remind members at annual conferences on the need for mentoring to improve the efficiency of the upcoming librarians. Mentoring programmes that are specific to the needs, especially to the career development needs should be put in place

Keywords: Mentoring, Career, Advancement, Librarians, Organization