Issues relating to professional staffing in Maltese specialised libraries : an analysis

Abstract

This research study delves into the staffing situation of special libraries in the Maltese islands. It focuses primarily on the extent of the professional staff population in such libraries. It analyses whether a lack of staff exists in this library category and compares the present situation with that reported a few years back in other studies, including the 2006 MaLIA report on Maltese libraries. The data obtained enables stakeholders and researchers to compare the findings with the situation back then and evaluate how special libraries are faring today. The study investigates the causes behind the extent of the present staff population in Maltese special libraries and the consequences this brings about. It also identifies other staffing issues in various special library categories, determines the most important skills and qualities expected in special librarians, and discusses how technology could assist library personnel and parent organisations in staffing and related issues. A qualitative approach was adopted, employing an inductive method of research through interviews with special librarians and entity managers and questionnaires distributed among library clients. The findings could help entity managers, library staff and researchers to gain the necessary knowledge and be able to assess their situation and find ways to maintain staff and address staffing issues at present and plan for the future.