Library staff at Ohio prisons: An investigation of four key demographic variables and their relationships to job satisfaction and career incentives

This research study was conducted in order to gather and analyze descriptive information about individuals employed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction to provide library service to their inmate populations. Data was collected using a two-part questionnaire. The first part sought demographic information (i.e., age, race, education, etc.); the second part consisted of an attitudinal survey containing twenty-five questions relating to issues such as job satisfaction, job security, opportunities for advancement, working conditions, financial remuneration, etc. A Likert Scale was used to measure the respondents' attitudes about prison librarianship.; The study focused on relationships between four key demographic variables identified through an extensive literature review. Age, gender, level of education, and length of time working in present position were compared with work attitudes of prison library staff employed at correctional institutions operated by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, the sixth largest state corrections department in the United States.; This study utilized the Fisher-Freeman-Halton test of statistical significance. Findings of the study suggest that statistically significant relationships do exist between demographic variables and job satisfaction for age, gender, and educational attainment. Principle research findings include: (1) Statistically significant p values for age when compared with five attitude variables. (a) I see myself building a long-term career in corrections librarianship. (b) I feel that the administration supports the mission of the library. (c) Working conditions are conducive to staff cooperation. (d) I would be satisfied to work in corrections librarianship until I retire. (e) I think that another type of library would provide better pay. (2) Statistically significant p values for gender when compared with three attitude variables. (a) I feel satisfied with the job I hold. (b) I feel that the administration supports the mission of the library. (c) Staff in this institution has a high regard for library personnel. (3) Statistically significant p values for educational attainment when compared with three attitude variables. (a) I see myself building a long-term career in corrections librarianship. (b) My personality is a good fit for working in this environment. (c) I am experiencing burnout from working in this environment. (4) No statistically significant p values were found to exist between length of time on the job and attitude variables.; Conclusions of the study suggest that there are statistically significant relationships between demographic variables for age, gender, and level of education, when compared to work attitudes of prison library staff. The research findings show that middle aged, well-educated women staff members exhibit the highest level of job satisfaction. Personnel administrators at ODRC should target this group for increased recruitment efforts.; Furthermore, this study endeavored to identify incentives and disincentives to pursuing a career in prison librarianship with ODRC. Survey data shows that 65 percent of respondents are satisfied with their job. Indices for rate of pay, professional relationships with other staff in corrections, interactions with library staff outside of corrections, possessing a personality that is a good fit for the corrections environment, and feeling rewarded to serve inmate patrons were found to be incentives.; Too few opportunities for advancement, too few financial resources to develop the library, inability to see library staff positions as stepping stones for building correctional library careers, lack of opportunities for collegial relationships and for keeping abreast of technology were found to be disincentives to pursuing a library career with ODRC.; These findings may be useful in assisting library administrators in evaluating the existing demographic and attitudinal make-up of their s...