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Glass ceiling issues in the UK library profession

Manchester Metropolitan University

Charles Oppenheim

Loughborough University, c.oppenheim{at}lboro.ac.uk

Reports results of a study to determine whether the UK library profession suffers from so-called ‘intraoccupational sex segregation’ whereby men dominate the senior positions within the profession’s institutions. Particular attention is paid to the so-called ‘glass ceiling’ whereby women find a barrier to promotion when they reach their forties but who have up until then enjoyed a reasonably successful career. The perceived barriers are considered, including: lack of academic qualifications; salary differences; geographical mobility; domestic responsibilities; lack of female role models; the need for mentors; and lack of ambition. A questionnaire survey was undertaken involving randomly chosen members of the Library Association using electronic mail and post with telephone interviews conducted with some of the respondents used to complement the questionnaire and to expand on issues arising. Results indicated that glass ceiling issues in libraries are still concerns for many women in the profession. The lack of qualifications do not seem to pose a barrier to promotion and the main barrier appears to be due to domestic responsibilities, particularly taking a career break to bring up children. Concludes that, for many women, the glass ceiling is imposed by themselves. It is often their choice to take a career break or to move to a new location for the sake of their husband’s or partner’s job, and it is their choice to put the needs of their family first before their own career ambitions. For many of the older women in the sample, the choice they had to make was between having children and having a career.

Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, Vol. 34, No. 2, 103-115 (2002)
DOI: 10.1177/096100060203400205


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