Knowledge management and its potential applicability for libraries

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the applications of knowledge management (KM) for library practice.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper starts by reviewing the relevant literature and then the results of an empirical study which investigated the perceptions of LIS community on the relevance of KM to libraries. The involvement of libraries in KM programs is also presented.

Findings

The results show that the LIS community exhibits a positive attitude towards introducing KM to libraries, and not only because this could bring libraries closer to their parent organization, but also because it might help them to survive in an increasingly challenging environment.

Practical implications

Although there are some indicators of involvement of libraries in KM in published case studies (through activities such as development of intranets and institutional repositories of content management and embedding information literacy instruction in the curriculum and employing web 2.0 technologies for knowledge sharing), libraries are still in the early stage of understanding the potential implications of KM.

Originality/value

The paper focuses on KM in the library community.

Citation

Sarrafzadeh, M., Martin, B. and Hazeri, A. (2010), "Knowledge management and its potential applicability for libraries", Library Management, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 198-212. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435121011027363