English abstract
The study aims to identify the types of motivations provided to information specialists in academic libraries in Muscat according to Maslow's Hierarchy of needs. It also aimed to determine the difficulties that prevent providing standardized motivation system from the point views of employers. The data collected through both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative method consisted of a questionnaire sent to 111 information specialists, and the qualitative method consisted of 7 interviews with employers selected purposively.
Findings indicated that the work motivations provided for the information specialists in academic libraries in Muscat were overall modest. The results also indicated that the administrative and financial issues were the most indicated barriers which are faced by managers of academic libraries in the application of motivation systems.
In the light of these findings, the study recommended designing standardized motivation system for all academic libraries in Oman, taking into consideration the needs of workers of all kinds, especially the needs of safety, appreciation, respect. It also recommended conducting further studies on work motivations at other settings of libraries and information institutions such as learning resource centers or public libraries.
