Implementing Knowledge Management In Indian Academic Libraries

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore library professionals’ perceptions of knowledge management concepts, its applications and their perceived challenges to incorporate it into academic library practices. The study is based on the review of literature and the results of webbased survey of sixty-four library professionals of thirty academic libraries in India. The findings suggest that the term ‘knowledge management’ is familiar to most of the professionals but the ways of knowing and degrees of their understanding are varied. They focused primarily on management of explicit knowledge and their roles were perceived as basic information management activities. Professional education and training programs, community of practices, information technology and knowledge sharing were identified as the important tools of knowledge management in academic libraries. Misunderstanding of knowledge management concepts, lack of knowledge sharing culture, top management commitment, incentives and rewards, financial resources and IT infrastructure are the major challenges faced by library professionals to incorporate knowledge management into library practices.