Perceived factors influencing the choice of leadership styles of heads of academic libraries in Delta State

Abstract

The study is on perceived factors influencing heads of libraries’ choice of leadership styles in academic libraries in Delta State. The design for this study is descriptive survey design. The population of the study consisted of 75 librarians. No sample was used because the population was small. The questionnaire was used as instrument for data collection. Findings revealed that generally, all the items on perceived factors influencing heads of libraries’ leadership styles were accepted. The highest mean score recorded is 3.88 representing the position power a leader has (a leader with a relatively strong and stable position); female respondents were more favourably disposed towards the perceived factors influencing heads of libraries choice of leadership styles; there is a significant difference between male and female librarians on choice of perceived factors influencing their leadership styles. It was recommended that since librarians are aware of the factors, chief librarians should be mindful of the way they go about the influencing process so as to get positive attitude from staff.

Keywords: leadership styles, academic libraries, choice of leadership styles, heads of libraries, leadership behaviour