Abstract:
The study looks at stress in university libraries. Universities have experienced
exponential growth in student population as more programmes had been introduced
lately. The increase had not been matched with infrastructure, staff and funding. This
situation had made the job of the library very stressful. Stress, is referred to as a state of
psychological and or physical imbalance resulting from the disparity resulting from the
disparity between situational demand and the individual’s ability to meet those demands.
Modern world individuals are experiencing long- term unacceptable high levels of
arousal which give rise to chronic stress which every class of people are no exception.
The study aimed to identify the main stressors that cause stress for the professional
librarians and paraprofessionals of UPSA and WIUC-Gh and investigate the coping
strategies that they employed to control their stressors with the view of making
recommendations to enhance stress coping capabilities.
The study adopted the Bio-Psychosocial Model of Stress Theory which provides a
realistic explanation of the complicated nature of stress. To achieve the objectives of the
research, the study used a qualitative method approach complemented by observation. All
the library professionals and paraprofessionals of the two universities were interviewed.
The study found out that the library work itself, unfavourable working environment, work
overload and challenges in relation to users, rudeness of patrons. Other sources of stress
found were traffic congestion and job dissatisfaction. In addition, the study established
that the library staff stress levels were not high because they had all attended library
school and had combined their professionalism with effective coping strategies.
The study concluded that if the managements of both universities would be able to provide
adequate equipment and resources, favourable working environment, comprehensive orientation
to new students, employment of more staff the library staff will be able to work without much
stress. The study recommended provision of requisite resources, favourable working
environment, employment of more staff, recruitment of part-time workers during examination
period and seminars on stress management.
