PERSONALITY TRAIT OF LIBRARIANS AS PREDICTOR OF DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS

Abstract

Purpose -This study examines the librarians whose personality traits possess more digital literacy skills and make an effective contributionto the provision of digital library services to users.

Design/methodology/approach – The questionnaire comprised of two constructs, (a) Five personality traits (openness to experience, neuroticism, extraversion,conscientiousness, and agreeableness), and (b) digital literacy skills were used to collect the data.After checking all the assumptions, a multiple regression test was applied to predict the digital literacy skills of librarians from different variables of personality traits.

Findings – Results of the current study show that librarians having personality traits of extraversion and conscientiousness were more digitally literate as compared with others. Further,the beta coefficient value of the extraversion personality trait shows a relatively high prediction level towards digital literacy skills.This study concludes that the personality traits of librarians are important factors in the provision of digital library services to users.

Research limitations – In this study, it is very difficult for researchers to find out which personality trait of the librarians is different from other traits in terms of digital literacy skills.

Practical implications -The practical implication of this study is for library professionals, library associations, university libraries, and librarians. Moreover, this study is also helpful for professionals to acquire the necessary ICT skills to manage university libraries in the digital environment.

Originality/value – Previous studies show the impact of personality traits on work performance,information seekingbehavior , social networking sites(SNS), internet addiction, job satisfaction, and knowledge sharing behavior. Moreover, the researchers also reviewed some studies regarding different information and communication technologies and digital competencies possessed by librarians.This study mainly identifies the personality traits of librarians as a predictor of digital literacy skills which are necessary for managing the libraries.