Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the preparedness of vocational education and training (VET) sector library staff in Australia and New Zealand to deliver services to mobile technologies.
Design/methodology: A representative sample of staff from 14 Australasian VET libraries was selected, including three positions from each library: Library Manager, Systems Librarian and Qualified Librarian. Data from the sample were exposed to two levels of analysis, both qualitative and quantitative. A slightly-modified version of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) model was employed as a predictor of behavioural intention and use behaviour. This model allowed granular level of detail to emerge through the capacity to drill down to individual characteristics influencing predictability to accept technology innovation.
Findings: An evaluative summary is provided of the workforce competencies and skills that 42 VET library staff viewed as critical and necessary to meet the new technologically-enhanced professional environment. The paper also presents findings on the best approach to identifying if skills are lacking and preferred methods for addressing deficits. The impact of staff demographics upon identified skills requirements and preferred training implementation are examined.
Practical implications: In a field where previous research is sparse and empirical investigations even fewer, the findings discussed in this paper offer meaningful insights to library and information science practitioners with particular reference to mobile libraries, workplace training, technology adoption and library service provision.