A study of supply and demand of library and information workers in Kuwait: Five-year projections and recommendations for human resources planning

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of library and information workers in Kuwait after the Iraqi invasion, to project future man-power requirements for the next five years (1997), and to propose recommendations for the future.;Data were collected with (a) a questionnaire sent to respondents in five types of library and information centers and (b) interviews with key officials, head librarians, and directors of libraries and information centers. A manpower forecasting model was used to generate the projections. The findings of the study indicate that the current supply of library and information workers in Kuwait is deficient in number and necessary skills. The majority of library and information center staff are paraprofessionals.;The study projects the manpower requirements for five types of library and information centers at three levels: high, middle, and low projections.;According to the study findings, the shortage of library and information workers in Kuwait is very real and will increase sharply by 1997. To address this shortage a number of changes should occur: (a) The level of library and information science education should improve; (b) Current staff should be given intensive training; (c) Salaries and incentives should be improved; (d) Work conditions and environment should be improved; (e) Professionals and subject specialists from other fields should be recruited; (f) A national committee should be established for information manpower planning.