Comparative study of staff development in academic libraries of Mainland China and Hong Kong

Abstract

The aim of this study is to conduct a comparison between the staff training and development (T & D) of academic libraries in Mainland China and Hong Kong -- two systems developed under fast-changing cultural, political and socio-economic environments in the past century. This paper argues that socio-economic, cultural and technological changes are pushing the development of academic library systems in the two regions towards convergence. The comparison identifies differences and similarities in staff T & D policies and practices of academic libraries in the two regions, as well as the contributing factors. The analysis is supported by the results of a survey conducted by the author in 2005. It concluded that the two systems share similar concerns and problems in many aspects, and one of the major contributing factors may be the size of the library.