An evaluation of library staff motivation for lower and middle grade employees at the University of Nairobi Library

Abstract

Public University libraries have for a long time not been giving significant attention to staff motivation. This is due to internal and external factors which have led to low work morale. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of job motivation for staff in lower and middle grades at the University of Nairobi Library and the causes of staff dissatisfaction with a view to developing a practical staff motivation strategy that the university can adopt to improve staff morale. The study had seven objectives. They were to: one, identify the various job-related staff needs at UON library; two, determine the extent to which the University of Nairobi Library satisfies the needs of its staff; three, determine the causes of staff dissatisfaction at the University of Nairobi Library; four, establish the strategies the UoN library has put in place to enhance staff morale; five, evaluate effectiveness of the motivation strategies; six, investigate the challenges that the library management faces in the process of motivating staff at the University of Nairobi Library and seven, develop a practical staff motivation strategy that the University can implement to enhance staff morale at the University of Nairobi Library. This is a case study that adopted the Herzberg-two factor theory for its theoretical framework. The study population comprised 99 respondents who were drawn from lower as well as middle grade library staff in the eight sub-libraries. The library management, library senior staff and the college registrars served as informants. Each category of the respondents provided data for the study through interviews. The study also relied on additional qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. In order to get the sample for the research, the researcher employed stratified, random and purposive methods of sampling. Interview schedules and documentary reviews served as the main sources of data collection instruments from all the respondents. Data collected was coded into meaningful themes, analyzed and presented using tables, a bar chart, percentages as well as descriptions. The study revealed that UoN lower and middle grade library staff like their job but issues to do with salary, promotion, communication, supervision, working environment and career development dissatisfied them. In order to enhance staff morale and boost productivity for the University of Nairobi Library staff this study recommends feasible and affordable motivational strategies. These include application of equity, formulation of policies, staff development and redesigning of jobs.