LEADERSHIP STYLES OF UNIVERSITY LIBRARIANS IN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN RIVER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study investigated leadership styles employed by university librarians in public university 
libraries in Rivers State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The 
population of the study was made up of 67 librarians in three public university libraries in Rivers 
State, Nigeria. Data was gathered using a questionnaire and analyzed using simple frequency and 
percentage techniques with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS version 22). Findings 
reveal democratic leadership (38.8%) and transformational leadership (31.3%) are the most common 
leadership styles. Also, majority of library staff (73.1%) accept that leadership styles influence the 
positive organizational culture for an overall constructive and supportive work environment. This 
study concluded that the leadership style of librarians in public university libraries in Rivers State is 
participative and transformational.