Towards the knowledge management culture in libraries: Impact of the librarians and information professionals

Abstract

Knowledge of all types needs to be systematically managed and thus what is now known as knowledge management (KM). Unlike Land, Labor and Capital, Knowledge does not diminish with use. In fact, when knowledge is used the organizations that become best at this will ultimately dominate the markets they serve. The mastery of "leveraging what you know" is really about creating and managing the one true sustainable competitive advantage in the 21st century – knowledge. A knowledge oriented culture has been regarded as a basic infrastructure for successful KM. The knowledge management culture is compared with other organizational cultures, and the inevitability of knowledge is advocated. The common enemy building trusts that the sharing of knowledge will benefit your libraries or other organizations. KM is not just about knowledge, it is still about people, process and tools. The individual manager wishing to learn about knowledge management and organizational culture must be interested in the 'big picture', in order to understand how to gain commitment within the organization. The transition from one culture to another is not smooth. The linking concepts 'control', 'responsibility', 'contribution' can help enormously with the transition towards the KM culture and application. This paper covers quite a broad range of concepts, from the concept to the practice of KM and the need for KM culture and what its implication to the library management. This paper also examines the role of librarians/libraries in knowledge management and suggests that librarians/libraries in the digital and knowledge age should be in charge of knowledge management in their respective organizations in order to leverage the intellectual assets and to facilitate knowledge creation. It also touches on the other conventional demand for an effective library and information services and the development of the profession.