One of the greatest challenges that academic and research libraries face today is to prepare the staff working in these organizations for the future. Preparation of library staff requires serious attention to the human resource programmes in libraries and consideration of the development needs and interests of staff at all levels, from at the top the University Librarian to the lowest level the Library Attendant. Human resource planning requires a strategic approach, which focuses on both the immediate issues and considers future needs. Library Managers and the Library Authority need to be adept at identifying the human resources issues in their organizations; able to design and implement development programmes, policies and procedures, to address these issues in a timely and meaningful way; and willing to commit the necessary resources to support the full development of all library staff.