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How library practitioners view knowledge management in libraries: A qualitative study

Md Roknuzzaman (Graduate School of Knowledge Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Nomi‐city, Japan Department of Information Science and Library Management, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, Bangladesh)
Katsuhiro Umemoto (Graduate School of Knowledge Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Nomi‐city, Japan)

Library Management

ISSN: 0143-5124

Article publication date: 23 October 2009

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Abstract

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to explore library practitioners' views of knowledge management (KM) and its incorporation into library practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the review of literature available in secondary sources, and the result of interviews of ten library practitioners worldwide. The respondents are purposively selected from the participants' lists of two international conferences held in 2008. The interviews were conducted through e‐mail using a short, structured, and open‐ended questionnaire.

Findings

The ways of knowing and degrees of understanding of KM concepts among the library practitioners are varied. But the most library practitioners have focused on a shallow perception of KM for its incorporation into library practice – dealing with only explicit information and/or knowledge. This study also finds some of the reasons for responding to KM, e.g. increasing value of knowledge in the knowledge economy, role of information technologies, opportunities for improved library practices.

Research limitations/implications

The study is limited in its scope, conducting interviews of only ten library practitioners worldwide, and hence, generalization may not be derived from the findings.

Practical implications

The paper suggests that library practitioners need to broaden their understanding, change their traditional mindset, and to apply a holistic approach of KM system design and library practice, focusing on both explicit and tacit knowledge.

Originality/value

The paper investigates the original views of library practitioners regarding KM in libraries.

Keywords

Citation

Roknuzzaman and Umemoto, K. (2009), "How library practitioners view knowledge management in libraries: A qualitative study", Library Management, Vol. 30 No. 8/9, pp. 643-656. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120911006593

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2009, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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