Knowledge Management in Libraries in the 21st Century

Abstract

Knowledge management refers to effectiveness in identifying, acquiring, developing, resolving, using, storing and sharing knowledge. The role of knowledge management in libraries becomes more and more important with the development of knowledge economy. Information technologies are starting point of knowledge management in libraries. It enlarges the scope of knowledge acquisition, raises its speed and reduces knowledge acquisition cost. Information technologies are often used in knowledge management programmes in informing clienteles and employees of the latest innovations in the business sector as well as sharing knowledge among the employees. The information professionals have a role to play as they are traditionally regarded as good managers of explicit knowledge. This paper discusses the concept of knowledge management and what libraries can do to improve their knowledge management activities in all of the key areas of library services and the challenges of such efforts.

Keywords: Knowledge Management, Librarians, Libraries, Information Technology.