Skills and qualifications for the special library environment in Jamaica: a job advertisement analysis

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to examine what employers seek when recruiting library and information professionals for a special library environment in Jamaica.Design/methodology/approachA content analysis of a sample of 47 advertisements for information professionals in a special library environment in Jamaica from 2013 to 2019 was collected.FindingsThe findings indicated that a variety of professional, generic and personal attributes were in demand for these professionals. There was a strong emphasis on advanced computer skills as well as communication and interpersonal skills.Research limitations/implicationsWhile job advertisements offer some insight into skills requirements and qualifications for employment, it may not reflect the actual person employed.Practical implicationsThis paper will provide useful information for library school educators, existing information professionals and those interested in entering the field as it provides an overview of the skills and requirements for jobs in the special library environment in Jamaica.Originality/valueDespite there being a plethora of job advertisements studies in librarianship, few studies examine advertisements for information professionals in a special library environment. To the best of the author's knowledge, there is no study focusing on Jamaica.

Knowledge, skills and attitudes required for Japanese library staff based on job advertisements

“…According to Kim and Angnakoon (2016), there has been a surge in these studies, mainly in the USA, the UK and Australia (Harper, 2012). Researchers in other countries such as the UAE (Kaba, 2017), South Africa (Sibiya and Shongwe, 2018), Jamaica (Robinson, 2021) and India (Yadav, 2022), but most of these studies may have been published in non-English languages.…”

“…Many of these studies have adopted the content analysis method (e.g. Kaba, 2017; Robinson, 2021; Zhang et al. , 2021; Brannon et al.…”

“…Many of these studies have adopted the content analysis method (e.g. Kaba, 2017;Robinson, 2021;Zhang et al, 2021;Brannon et al, 2022), wherein a coder extracts information from job advertisements, assigns keywords and subcategories and creates categories. Studies often referred to when creating categories include Croneis et al (2002), Kennan et al (2005) and Park et al (2009).…”

Key skills and competencies of LIS professionals in the digital library environment: a content analysis of job advertisements

“…Job lists or postings are an essential data source for determining the knowledge, skills and competencies required for LIS professionals (Binici, 2021;Bjorklund and Audunson, 2021). Job lists provide a variety of professional, generic and essential aptitudes and personal attributes for LIS professionals (Pontika, 2019;Robinson, 2021;Skene, 2018;Turner, 2020).…”

Defining the Key ‘Professional Development Skills’ of Construction Managers from Influential UK Construction Organizations

“…Similar to academic postings (e.g., Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Associate Professor), whilst the specific project or location can change, the core components of the role are firmly rooted. Thus, the ten job advertisements represent an appropriate sample size for analysis (Robinson, 2021).…”