The Academic Library as Workplace: Using the Knowledge Intensive Work Environment Survey Target (KIWEST) to Explore Challenges Faced by Knowledge Workers

Abstract

This study seeks to explore the academic library as a workplace and understand indicators of successful performance and areas that indicate a need for improvement. A survey containing the Knowledge Intensive Work Environment Survey Target (KIWEST) was sent to academic library listservs and received 351 complete responses eligible for analysis. Respondents were library workers employed in an academic library in the United States at the time of taking the survey. Academic libraries performed best in the areas of job autonomy, task completion clarity, competency demands, and meaning of work. Academic libraries indicated less positively in the areas of perceived investment in employee development, engagement (dedication), social support from supervisors, and role conflicts. Findings were consistent with previous studies about the individual factors in the library workplace, and this study demonstrates consistency with academic library strengths and areas of growth in the rapidly changing post-COVID workplace environment.