International Journal of Library

Science and Research (IJLSR)

ISSN(P): 2250-2351; ISSN(E): 2321-0079
Vol. 6, Issue 3, Jun 2016, 39-44
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

IMPACT ANALYSIS OF WORKING CULTURE AND WORKING

ENVIRONMENT IN THE SPECIAL LIBRARY: A STUDY
LISA SHEBA RANI. J1, S. ALLY SORNAM2 & P. YESUDOSS3
1

Research Scholar, PG & Research, Department of Library and Information Science,

Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India
2

Research Advisor & Head, Dept. of Library and Information Science,

Bishop Heber College, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India

Librarian, Madras Christian College, Tambaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT
This article focuses on the Work Culture and Work Environment of Library Staff of Special Libraries. This
aims to illustrate various parameters which affect and impact the work-life balance of these library personnel.
The parameters chosen are work hours, time invested, career growth, work environment, work pressure, stress,
motivation etc. This study identifies some specific parameters which can bring down the efficiency/effectiveness of worklife balance. Few recommendations are also given to decimate the negative perspectives as well as to improve the morale

KEYWORDS: Personal Development, Career Growth, Job Satisfaction, Psychological Perspective, Occupational Stress,
Motivation, Special Library

A Case Study

of the staff.

Received: Apr 27, 2016; Accepted: May 13, 2016; Published: May 24, 2016; Paper Id.: IJLSRJUN201606

INTRODUCTION
Special Libraries are established to serve the needs of special user like the Scientist, the Technologist,
the Industrialist, the Economist, the Statistician, the Lawyer, the Doctor, the Engineer, the Trader, the
Entrepreneur, the Administrator etc. and their collections are limited to special subject through special
services. According to Saikala, C. (1994), the Library or Information Centre in the industry is an important
resource which contributes to the accomplishment of objectives by the organization. The aim and objectives of the
Industrial library should be identified closely with those of the organization, the special library can meet the real
information needs of its clients in the organization. More than three decades these kind of libraries are rendering
its services to the business, especially to the industrial and to the corporate sectors. In these sectors the LIS
professionals are working to achieve the organizational goals. This study would help us in understanding the work
culture of special library. At the same time the study has also focused on the nature of work, time management,
personal development, career growth, Job satisfaction, Psychological Perspective, Occupational stress,
Motivations etc., of library professionals.
Pearson, Chad J (2015). discussed about the challenge of work-life balance for evening/night librarians,
and the issue of sustaining and maintaining physical health under difficult scenarios.

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40

Lisa Sheba Rani. J, S. Ally Sornam & P. Yesudoss

Waller, Aaron David, and Ragsdell, Gillian (2012). Studied how a company's current 24-hour e-mail culture
impacts on employees' lives outside of their contracted working hours. This study identified some short-term
recommendations as to how a particular company could limit the negative impact that e-mails have on their
employees' lives outside of contracted working hours. In addition, this study will also raise awareness of the pervasion
of work-related communications into employees' personal lives and, hopefully, trigger further research into the long-term
psychological and sociological effects of a 24/7 communication culture. Originality/value.
De Stricker, Ulla. (2008). discusses about the work environment and employees of special libraries. He also
discusses the characteristics and behaviors that set special libraries apart from other "intellectual" workplaces. He suggests
that workplace culture, employee attitudes and teamwork are fundamental understanding workplace dynamics.
Objectives of the study
To identify the impact of employees career growth and job satisfaction on special libraries.
To identify the stress factor due to work environment.
To identify the professional support and motivational guidance.
Scope of the Study
The scope of this study is to observe the present working conditions and work culture, identify the problematic
areas and provide suggestion to reduce the organizational stress of the library professionals working in special library.
Limitation
The scheduled questionnaire was distributed among and collected from special libraries.
For this study 50 samples were collected from the universe of sample.
Analysis

Demography
Table 1: Shows that (60 %) Male Member are Predominant
Only (20 %) are Female Representation
S. No
1
2

Gender
Male
Female
Total

Frequency
30
20
50

Percent
60 %
40 %
100 %

Analysis of Working Hours

Chart 1: Indicates that the Working Hours of the Library Employees in the Special Library. It Indicates that
Majority of the Respondents Expressed that they Work for More than 8 Hours Generally
Impact Factor (JCC): 3.5789

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1

Impact Analysis of Working Culture and Working

Environment in the Special Library: A Study

41

Time Spent on Travel

Table 2: Indicates that (42 %) of Respondents Travel to Work Place for Nearly an Hour. 18 %of the
Respondents Expressed that Travel to the Work Place Takes Nearly Two Hours or More
S. No
1
2
3
4

Valid
Less than half an hour
Nearly one hour
Nearly two hours
More than two hours
Total

Frequency
11
21
9
9
50

Percent
22%
42%
18%
18%
100%

Career Growth
Table 3: Indicates that 60 % of the Library Professionals from Special Library have
Rated their Career Growth as Average and 30 % of as Good in the Organization
S. No
1
2
3
4

Valid
Below average
Average
Good
Very good
Total

Frequency
2
30
15
3
50

Percent
4%
60%
30%
6%
100%

Opinion on the Work Environment

Chart 2: Indicates that 62% of the Respondents Have Stressful Work Environment. Whereas 38% of the
Respondents Expressed that their Nature of Work Environment is Hectic but Enjoyable
Psychological Perspective

Worry about the work

Chart 3: Indicates that when Asked Do you Worry about Work Even when Away from Work? More than
Half of the Respondents (56 %) Replied they Worry about the Work Even when Away from the work
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42

Lisa Sheba Rani. J, S. Ally Sornam & P. Yesudoss

Unexpected Pressure

Char 4: Shows that there is Unexpected Work Pressure During their Working Time. 60 % of the Respondents
Expressed that in Business and IT Companies the Librarians are Working with Unexpected Pressure

Cause of Stress

Chart 5: Indicates the Cause of Stress Faced by the Library processionals in Business / IT
Companies. 44 % of Respondents Emphasized that the Workplace is the Major
Cause for Stress Rather than Other Causes Like Family, Health, Finance, Society etc

Motivation:

Chart 6: Indicates that the Feedback / Grievance Mechanism are not fully Supported by their
Employer. Out of 50, 28 Respondents have (56 %) Replied that the Feedback /
Grievances Mechanism are Rarely Supports to Express their Professionals Issues

FINDINGS

Male members (60%) are predominant. Only 40 % are female.

54 % Majority of the respondents expressed that they work for more than 8 hours in general.

42 % of the respondents travel to workplace for nearly an hour and others (18 %) nearly two hours or more.

60 % of the respondents from special libraries rate their career growth as Average

62 % of the respondents express that the work environment and nature of work are stressful.

Impact Factor (JCC): 3.5789

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 6.1

Impact Analysis of Working Culture and Working

Environment in the Special Library: A Study

43

56 % of the respondents replied that they are worry about the work even when away from the work.

60 % of the respondents in special libraries expressed that they are working under unexpected pressure.

44 % of the respondents emphasized that the workplace is more stressful than other causes like Family, Health,
Finance, Society, etc.

The feedback / grievances mechanisms are not fully supported by their employers. Out of 50, 28 respondents (56
%) replied that the feedback / grievances mechanisms rarely support their expression of the professionals issues.

CONCLUSIONS
On the whole, the study reveals that the work nature of special libraries is all the more demanding and stressful.
However, it also emphasizes that it has many other benefits and positive take away for the employee. Hence, the authorities
/ management of the special libraries should help in rectifying the employees personal and professional grievances as early
as possible which would ease the stressful work environment. It is suggested that there is a monitoring committee or
counseling group to address such issues confidentially and be a bridge between the employee and the employer. There
should be an effective feedback mechanism to understand and analyze the performance, issues, and expectations of the
employees, and to suitably address them. This will certainly result in enhanced work performance and help to achieve the
organizational goals in time.
REFERENCES
1.

Sasikala, C. (1994).Industrial Library systems.New Delhi:Reliance Publishing House.

2.

Prasher,R.G.(1994).Personal Problems in Indian Libraries.New Delhi:Medallion Press.

3.

Pearson, Chad J. (2015). Achieving a Work Life balance Reference Librarian. Jan-Mar2015, Vol. 56 Issue 1, p78-82. 5p.

4.

Waller, Aaron David,and Ragsdell, Gillian.(2012). The impact of e-mail on work- life balance Aslib Proceedings. 2012, Vol. 64
Issue 2, p154-177. 24p.

5.

De

Stricker,

Ulla.

(2008).Information

outlook

V12

N10

October

2008.

https://www.sla.org/IO/2008/Oct/InfoOutlook_Oct08_Final.pdf
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Rajwant, Kaur.(2013).Women Librarians in India a study in WORK Life Balance. New Delhi: Ess Ess Publications.

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Revathy,B.(2013).Career Women and Work Life balance. New Delhi: A.P.H.Publishing Corporate.

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Vance, M Charles & Paik, Yongsun.(2009).Managing Global Workforce: Challenges opportunities in International Human
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Paton, A Robert & McCalman, Jemes. (2006).Change Management: A guide to effective Implementation, ed 2,- New Delhi:
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10. Ajay Pratap Singh & Murthy T.A.V(2005).Library without Walls. New Delhi:EssEss Publications.

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