Demographics of the library and information profession in Kuwait

Abstract

In feminized professions like library and information science, it is surprising that examining the status of gender within the field and as part of the sociology of the profession has been evaded in the literature generally. This study looks at women LIS alumni in Kuwait as a subpopulation and also investigates gender relevant issues. Based on the results of a questionnaire survey and phenomenological discussion groups, the paper discuses issues such as employment, management, academic positions, and ICT skills, in addition to barriers to professional progression. Other issues, such as professional development and lifelong learning skills, curricular changes in MLIS, title of the MLIS and image of the profession and finally career positions and salaries of the professional LIS community are discussed in light of the experience of the MLIS alumni in Kuwait. This paper is a complement to the authors’ paper, ‘Library and information science alumni of Kuwait University: Tracking positions and functions’ ( IFLA Journal 38(3): 111–122).