DefinePK

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research study is to examine the methods of soft skill learning by libraryprofessionals working in private sector universities in Pakistan.Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used quantitative research design based on aquestionnaire. The target Population of the study included all 474 library professionals working in theprivate sector universities in Pakistan. To get relevant data, non-probability convenience samplingtechnique was used deployed to 340 library professionals out of which 270 useable questionnaireswere received back dully filled in. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for dataanalysis using SPSS-21.Research limitations: The study is limited to the responses collected from library professionalsworking in the private sector university libraries only.Originality value: This is the first study in Pakistan that dealt with the preferred methods of softskills learning of library professionals by using a large group (N = 474) of university libraryprofessionals.Key findings: Findings of the study revealed that library professionals working in private sectoruniversities preferred to learn soft skills from experts and colleagues. Overall results indicated thatfrom library professionals’ perspective, soft skills should be taught to them using face-to-facemethods.Practical implications: The study will encourage researchers in Pakistan and elsewhere to analysesoft skills of library professionals of various type of libraries and to frame practical training modulesfor librarians to inculcate in them the modern methods of soft skills to deal with a varied kind ofreaders.Contribution to knowledge: It is one of the first ever studies on the subject as only a few studies havebeen conducted in Pakistan measuring the soft skills of library professionals of private sectoruniversities of Pakistan.