Behavioural and technical competencies of paraprofessional staff: a case from

University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka

Fernando, IDKL1 and Pannila, UAL2
1. Assistant Librarian, Main Library, University of Ruhuna (Digital technologies), Sri Lanka
2. Senior Assistant Librarian (Reader services), Main Library, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka
Corresponding Author: kusalaruhuna@gmail.com

Abstract
Rapid development of technical environment has created the information ecosystem a
knowledge dependent context with high needed achievers. In order to manage and cope with
this accelerating rate of change, a spectrum of skill set is need by the professionals in any
information origination. Investigation of competencies have been recognize as a mean of
providing a clear understanding about the skill set that information professionals use in their
activities. Present study attempted to investigate professional competencies of
paraprofessional staff in the library. Data collected through a paper and pencil based
questionnaire. A census was conduct including all the paraprofessionals in the library staff
and the response rate was 100%. Cataloguing skills shows high frequency in both sexes male
29.3% and 31.6% in females across the age groups. All the variables are significantly nonormal at p<0.001 according to the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk tests and
analysis rely on non-parametric test. Educational qualifications shows that there are 32% of
males from the total population pass O/L while 28% pass A/L and 7% of graduates in the
male population. There were 4%, 23%, and one postgraduate degree holder among females.
Males show more competency in work with computers 26.8% than females 15.8%. Both
sexes show equal competency in work with the library database (26%). Females are more
competent (10.5%) than males in classification skills (4.9%). Interestingly 10.5% of females
showing binding competencies with respect to males (9.8%). The 40-50 age group shows
other skills and competencies than lesser 10.5% by the 30-40 age group. There were no
females presented in the 20-30 age group. Results revealed that the paraprofessional staff
members show a variety of professional competencies in both sexes and most of them are
competent more than one skill in the context. This information are highly useful in library
management to introduce new library services to knowledge society.
Keyword: Library paraprofessional
competencies, Library staff

staff,

Behavioural

competencies,

Technical