Continuing professional development (CPD) in state‐owned university libraries in Ghana

Purpose The aim of the research was to find out if the work environment of professional librarians in the five state‐owned university libraries in Ghana encouraged continuing professional development (CPD) and to discover who the librarians felt should be responsible for this. Design/methodology/approach The research was carried out among professional librarians in the five state‐owned university libraries in Ghana. The study was to find out if their work environment encouraged CPD. The study further investigated who the employees felt should be responsible for their CPD. The importance of a plan for effective CPD was also discussed. Finally, benefits of CPD to the individual professional were looked at. The survey method was used. The instruments for data collection were the questionnaire and interviews. Findings The study found that the library environment in the state‐owned universities was supportive to a large extent of CPD. The study revealed that the professional librarian's involvement in CPD was a shared responsibility of the library and the individual. Some benefits derived from CPD by the professional librarians were job advancement and updated skills leading to competence. Originality/value It is hoped that the study will encourage library management especially in universities to consider formulating and writing down CPD policies and also to adopt management styles that will make them “learning organisations.”