Knowledge Management in Libraries: Concepts, Tools and Approaches brings to the forefront the increasing recognition of the value of knowledge and information to individuals, organizations, and communities, providing an analysis of the concepts of Knowledge Management (KM) that prevails among the Library and Information Science (LIS) community. Thus, the book explores knowledge management from the perspective of LIS professionals. Furthermore, unlike most books on the topic, which address it almost exclusively in the context of a firm or an organization to help gain a competitive advantage, this book looks at knowledge management in the context of not for profit organizations such as libraries. - Describes the theory and approaches of knowledge management in the context of librarianship - Seeks to identify and explain the principles that underlie the different processes of knowledge management - Combines the theoretical and practical perspectives of the topic - Provides a comprehensive and methodological approach to support librarians and information science professionals in the implementation of knowledge management in libraries and information centers - Proposes a model for libraries and information centers which may be used as a guide for implementation - Incorporates illustrations where necessary to provide a clear understanding of the concepts

While librarians and information professional are experts at providing resources to users, managing their own internal working knowledge and information can be a challenge. As information environments continue to become more complex, librarians and other information professionals must build on the existing expertise and skills within their organizations to keep them relevant to the information needs of their patrons and communities. Knowledge management (KM) is an intentional set of strategies intended to capture, preserve, and use human knowledge from employees to further the goals of an organization. Knowledge Management: A Practical Guide for Librarians will help librarians recognize, organize, communicate, and leverage both the tacit and explicit knowledge already in their organizations for the benefit of themselves and their users. Topics covered include: Why knowledge management is important in libraries and information organizations The knowledge management lifecycle: capturing, organizing, storing, sharing, and updating knowledge Capturing tacit and explicit knowledge and getting staff buy-in Tools and methods for recording and developing organizational information flow Facilitating the transfer of organizational knowledge and expertise Promoting knowledge innovation and learning Knowledge Management is intended to help individual librarians and library managers in all library settings (academic, public, school, special, etc.) to think critically about their existing knowledge management environments with an eye toward improving existing procedures or implementing a KM program. This guide will provide readers with basic background information and useful, targeted exercises and examples to help them develop knowledge management programs in their own organizations.

Knowledge Management has evolved into one of the most important streams of management research, affecting organizations of all types at many different levels. The Encyclopedia of Knowledge Management, Second Edition provides a compendium of terms, definitions and explanations of concepts, processes and acronyms addressing the challenges of knowledge management. This two-volume collection covers all aspects of this critical discipline, which range from knowledge identification and representation, to the impact of Knowledge Management Systems on organizational culture, to the significant integration and cost issues being faced by Human Resources, MIS/IT, and production departments.

The management of knowledge created in an organization not only enables reuse of knowledge, but also adds value to the organization itself. Preventing duplication of intellectual effort, it saves economic and human resources, leading to the creation of new information. This book gathers the wisdom of knowledge managers and researchers in the context of the library and will be a valuable reference source for all libraries.

As budgets for libraries continue to shrink, the key challenge facing the 21st century librarian is finding how to do more with less. Learning how to increase productivity within the constraints of a difficult economy, librarians can benefit from the insights of fellow professionals and others who have succeeded in making the most of what they have. Time and Project Management Strategies for Librarians features more than thirty essays that provide valuable tips for the professional who must cope with increasing demands upon their resources. Librarians will get tips on how to: identify the most important tasks for the library eliminate non-essential functions and processes increase reliance on volunteers, interns, and students optimize daily routines and schedule staff effectively increase productivity through the use of social media and email increase project and time management skills and personal productivity through setting and meeting goals With productivity tips for all librarians—from the newly hired to the most seasoned veteran—this volume will help libraries provide better service to their users and also show librarians how to give this service without losing their personal lives and their sanity.

Libraries are creating dynamic knowledge bases to capture both tacit and explicit knowledge and subject expertise for use within and beyond their organizations. In this book, readers will learn to move policies and procedures manuals online using a wiki, get the most out of Microsoft SharePoint with custom portals and Web Parts, and build an FAQ knowledge base from reference management applications such as LibAnswers. Knowledge Management for Libraries guides readers through the process of planning, developing, and launching their own library knowledge base. This A-Z guidebook will teach you how to implement tools that will help your colleagues communicate, collaborate, share documents and files, and greatly clarify and simplify workflows through projects such as: How to Create a Document Management System with Google Drive How to Construct a Web-Based Knowledge Base Using Wiki Software How to Set Up a Private Social Network for Your Staff with Yammer How to Create an Organizational Commons with WordPress How to Build a Library Intranet Site in Microsoft SharePoint How to Create a Dynamic FAQ with Springshare’s LibAnswers

Knowledge management is emerging as a new concept in the management field. Though this concept is for business organizations, it is also attracting the interest of library professionals in managing library and information centers. This book is written to familiarize librarians with knowledge management and its possible uses. Knowledge management, its various tasks and activities, and its implementation aspects are discussed in detail throughout. A special chapter emphasizes the possible uses of knowledge management in academic, public, and special libraries.

This book focuses on the role of special libraries as knowledge management centres in their organisations. It describes the work of a special library and the special library draws on the characteristics that make the nucleus of collecting and organising knowledge which is used for the benefit of the institution. By acquiring and sharing knowledge, staff will enhance the intellectual capital of the institution. Traditionally libraries are the information centres that organise and classify information. Further on they are the proper places to create human networks and to organise the knowledge hidden in the minds of the staff. This book also examines methods to prove the value of a special library for the parent organisation when it becomes the centre to gather knowledge. - Draws on the characteristics that make a special library necessary for an organisation - Shows the importance of knowledge management in an organisational environment - Provides ways to persuade the management of an organisation that the special library is the proper centre for knowledge management

It is a widely accepted that Knowledge Management constitutes a key asset for the information professional. Management theory has always pointed to the fact that libraries and librarians in particular play an important role in an organization (be it an enterprise, a city, or a society as a whole). The papers collected in this volume demonstrate why and how - from the libraries' perspective. They discuss some fundamental implications of Knowledge Management as a key activity area for libraries, analyse key issues and instruments and give some best practice examples. Among the contributing authors the reader will find Larry Prusak, James Matarazzo, Michael Koenig, Rafael Capurro, Susan Henczel, Irene Wormell and Rainer Kuhlen. The book brings together eighteen important texts for the topic not only from IFLA workshops and conferences but also from other sources such as the SLA (Special Libraries Association). The inclusion of several original contributions makes this reader essential for all concerned with the future role of the library in business and society.

Comprises 28 essays on knowledge management in a broader transorganizational context. Covers five major areas: overview of knowledge management; background issues in knowledge management; creating the culture of learning and knowledge sharing in the organization; tools and technologies involved; and case studies of its application in a number of contexts.