Exploring the use of knowledge management practices in an academic library in a changing information environment

Abstract

… not managing or organizing books or journals, searching the internet for clients or arranging the circulation of materials. However, each of the activities can in some way be part of the knowledge management spectrum and process. Knowledge management is about enhancing the use of organizational knowledge through sound practices of knowledge management and organizational learning. The theory behind KM is that knowledge is not an end in itself. According to Williams, Giuse, Koonce, Kou and Giuse (2004:99), "when information and knowledge flow can be captured, organised and made accessible for reuse, there exists the potential for subsequent creation of new knowledge". New knowledge has a possibility of enhancing performance and improving services provided to clients.The reason why KM theory is becoming increasingly significant in libraries is that rapid technological changes alter the way in which library services are provided. The concept of ownership of items has become more fluid because of the prevalence of new communication technologies that include social software such as blogs, wikis and MySpace. The collection development function of librarians now consists of deciding which items to provide straightforward access to besides the traditional services of issuing print publications to users. One can say that libraries are now expected to build and maintain "knowledge gateways" (Ravi 2008) and in the process pull together a range of information resources and sources that address the research needs of their user communities.Library support at the MCNY is in the form of print and online resources, reference services and information literacy classes for all library users. The library is currently unable to provide every resource and service students and faculty require. This is confirmed by the MCNY's self-study review (2009:51), which states that there is consensus among students and staff that "library resources and services are not adequate". The reasons are financial as well as practical.

A taxonomy of the expected roles of librarians towards knowledge management

“…While the above observations do not undermine the worthy case studies published in literature presenting examples of KM implementation in libraries (although some cases are in fact examples of undeliberate implementation fully or partially of KM practices as, for instance, in Mavodza and Ngulube, 2011; Kumar Agarwal and Islam, 2014); nevertheless, the above observations, if not resolved, may continue as hinders or obstacles to the progress of KM implementation in libraries and in the total KM–LIS literature. Yet, there is no way for refraining development in this area (KM for libraries); there are several anticipated rewards in many facets in entertaining KM work.…”

A survey of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as enablers of knowledge capture and retention in three Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) public broadcasting corporations

“…However, in a study conducted by Mavodza and Ngulube (2011) the majority (64%) of the respondents indicated that the knowledge that they needed to perform their job functions was retained in their computers or workstations. This shows that, in as much as computers may be utilised to transfer knowledge, they may also be used to store knowledge.…”

Knowledge management processes at St Paul’s University Library in Kenya

“…The evolution of the information and knowledge society has altered the ways in which services are provided in academic libraries, thus making knowledge management an imperative (Koloniari & Fassoulis 2017;Mavodza & Ngulube 2011). Knowledge management in academic libraries will promote job effectiveness and make the library relevant to its parent institution, thereby offering the opportunity to expand the role of libraries in areas where librarians have had little impact in (Ongus et al 2015;Thanuskodi 2010;Wen 2005).…”

“…There is also still a dearth of research on knowledge management in academic libraries from an African perspective. Jain (2007), Wamundila (2008) and Mavodza and Ngulube (2011), for example, focused on the application and implementation of knowledge management with little emphasis on the knowledge management processes.…”