Definition

Vaughn and Dunn refer to job satisfaction (as cited in Goetting, 2004)as, "the feelings an employee has about his pay, work, promotion opportunities, and supervisors."(paragraph 5) According to separate studies done by Beverly Lynch and Jo Ann Verdin (as cited in Goetting, 2004) reference librarians have reported "the highest levels of satisfaction"(paragraph 6).

Pertinent Information and Resources

Job Satisfaction can come from many different places for reference librarians. In Marie B. Landry’s (2000) article, “The Effects of Life Satisfaction and Job Satisfaction on Reference Librarians and Their Work”, she mentions several factors in reference librarian job satisfaction. The major correlation to job satisfaction, according to Landry’s research, is life satisfaction. However Landry also notes that job satisfaction is related to the manner in which the librarians/employees are treated, the librarians “willingness to expend considerable effort in task performance”, commitment to the organization they work for, and the number of years spent at the job.

In “The Truth About Reference Librarians”, Will Manley (1996) lists the “Top Four Sources of Job Satisfaction”. In this list, the top two sources of satisfaction for reference librarians came from being appreciated by their peers as well as by patrons. Specifically, the librarians who responded to Manley’s survey mentioned being told “Thank you” as a source of their positive attitudes toward the career they have chosen.

Dale Susan Bengston and Dorothy Shields (1985) described a study they had done of librarians where they found that job satisfaction with academic librarians was related to the amount of involvement librarians had in making management decisions. Librarians prefer to have a say in how the library is run so that they can have control over their work environment.

Most people who have made a study of job satisfaction have noted the relationship between librarian personality traits and their perceived satisfaction. Williamson (2005) specifically mentioned, “Assertiveness, Conscientiousness, Customer Service Commitment, Emotional Stability, Extraversion, Openness, Optimism, Tough-Mindedness, and Work Drive.” People who have these qualities will (according to the Williamson study) find greater satisfaction in their library careers than those who are missing many of these traits. Thankfully, the study also found that people working in the library profession generally have these qualities (which accounts for the reason the study found these traits to be equated with job satisfaction in the first place).

Job Dissatisfaction

Landry (2000) also offers several reasons for Reference Librarians to be dissatisfied with their job. Some of these are: constant interruptions, poor emotional health, poor physical health, salary, the library environment, lack of communication with library supervisors, little promotional availability, and directors not rewarding good work (“contingent rewards”).

For reference librarians who find they are dissatisfied with their job, or for employers who have high levels of job dissatisfaction in their work-place there are some ways to increase job satisfaction. These suggestions are for employers who need to create a better reference work environment.

- creating programs to enhance employee’s quality of life (Landry, 2000)

- encourage suggestions for creating a good work environment (Landry, 2000)

- initiate programs that recognize good work (Landry, 2000)

- help librarians manage their workload (Landry, 2000)

- encourage solving work related problems immediately through open communication with supervisors (Landry, 2000)

- look for potential employees with the necessary personality traits (Williamson, 2005)

- communicate with employees differently based on their personal needs (Williamson, 2005)

- give librarians a vote in the management decision making process (Marchant, 1982)

References

Bengston, D., & Shields, D. (1985). A Test of Marchan’s Predictive Formulas Involving Job Satisfaction. Journal of Academic Librarianship, 11(2), 88. Retrieved Saturday, November 11, 2006 from the Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts database.

Landry, Marie B. “The Effects of Life Satisfaction and Job Satisfaction on Reference Librarians and Their Work.” Reference & User Services Quarterly. 40.2 (Winter 2000): 166. Expanded Academic ASAP. Thomson Gale. UC Los Angeles. 31 Oct. 2006.

Geotting, Denise. (2004). Attitudes and job satisfaction in Louisiana library workplaces. Louisiana Libraries, 67, 12-17.

Manley, W. (1996). The Truth about Reference Librarians. American Libraries, 27(2), 96. Retrieved Saturday, November 11, 2006 from the Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts database.

Marchant, M. (1982). Participative Management, Job Satisfaction, & Service. Library Journal, 107(8), 782. Retrieved Saturday, November 11, 2006 from the Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts database.

Williamson, J., Pemberton, A., & Lounsbury, J. (2005). An Investigation of Career and Job Satisfaction in Relation to Personality Traits of Information Professionals. Library Quarterly, 75(2), 122 – 141. Retrieved Saturday, November 11, 2006 from the Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts database.

Elizabeth (Biz) Tanner