ABSTRACT
The study assessed motivation and performance of para-professional staff in tertiary institution libraries in Kaduna State. The objectives of the study are to identify the strategies used by tertiary institution libraries in Kaduna State in motivating para-professional staff and to determine the influence of motivation on the performance of para-professional staff in tertiary institution libraries. The study adopted survey method while structured questionnaire and structured interview questions were used to collect data for the study. The population of the study comprised the library managers and para-professional library staff. The total population of the library managers and para-professional library staff was four hundred and twenty three (423 )i.e. 5 library managers and 418 para-professional library staff. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 167 from the five selected tertiary institution libraries in Kaduna State. The questionnaire was administered to the sample size of one hundred and sixty seven. Out of the questionnaires administered, only one hundred and forty three (143) were duly completed and returned. Descriptive statistical tools were used. Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used for testing the hypothesis. The findings of the study showed that the main strategies used for motivating para-professional library staff were fixed regular payment, job design, job rotation, job enlargement, job enrichment, promotion, and education and training. It was also revealed that most of the motivational strategies in place(recognition, performance management, salaries, loans and welfare facilities) were not adequate. The use of motivational strategies led to early reporting to work, friendliness with supervisors and colleagues for doing task, time effectiveness on the task, enhances best utilization of resources at work, encourage staying on the job, improve productivity and inner satisfaction on the job. The study also found out that there is a significant positive relationship between motivational strategies used by tertiary institution libraries and work performance of para-professional library staff. The study recommended among others that managers of tertiary institution libraries should maintain and continue to use various motivational strategies in order to enhance work performance since employees' need differ from one employer to another