An assessment of job burnout among librarians in academic libraries in Ekiti State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study investigates job burnout among library personnel in academic libraries in Ekiti State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey research  design was used for this study. The population of the study was made up of 73 librarians in academic libraries in Ekiti state. The  instrument for data collection was a questionnaire. Reliability and validity test were conducted on the instrument. A total of 73 (100%)  copies of questionnaire were returned and found usable. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive analysis such as percentage  counts and mean. Findings revealed a moderate burnout among library personnel in terms of obtaining research incentives, publication  for promotion, and relationship with university and library leadership behavior. Furthermore, the result revealed the major causes of job  burnout among library personnel to be the introduction and use of new technology, high expectation form bosses and office politics.  Also, findings revealed major techniques used by librarians in managing job burnout to include clarification of ambiguous role and early  warning signs of aggression in co-workers and users. Finally, result on consequences of job burnout reveals low productivity, feeling  unappreciated and loss of creativity. This study therefore, concluded that library management can manage burnout at some extend by  adopting a flexible organization policy which create a supportive workplace atmosphere. It is recommended that the institutional and  library management should provide congenial work environment to help reduce job related stress among the library personnel.