Knowledge Management Practices In University Libraries In Kenya

Abstract

In many library settings, there is no planned and documented approach to managing the knowledge of the institution and making it available to staff in order to improve information service provision. In academic libraries in Kenya today, librarians have specific duties and ways of performing them. In a number of cases, there is vital knowledge resting with one individual and little is done to tap this knowledge and make it more accessible. In cases of retirement, greener pastures, death, etc., knowledge in performing certain duties can be lost leading to the cost of retraining or hiring someone else for the job. The challenge for many libraries is the lack of good techniques for acquiring, encoding and providing access to crucial knowledge that is in ‗someone‘s head‘. Despite the growing awareness of the benefits of knowledge sharing, the accessibility of knowledge is still limited because most knowledge resides with individuals or in documents or repositories not readily accessible to others. The purpose of this study was to investigate knowledge management practices in university libraries in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to establish KM practices in selected university libraries in Kenya and identify the tools currently used in managing knowledge; establish the extent to which KM practices have improved information service provision; analyze the opportunities of application of KM; establish the challenges affecting the adoption and application of KM; provide practical recommendations and suggest a model to enhance the adoption and application of KM for knowledge sharing and dissemination. The study was informed by the SECI model, the integrated KM model, organizational learning theory and socio-technical systems theory. The study purposively selected university libraries in the country and consulted 60 library staff. Qualitative research was used where data was collected using semistructured interview schedules. This was complemented by observation and document review. The data collected was analyzed using grounded theory. It was found that in as much as no library has a knowledge management program in place, there are several practices that point towards it. The level of interest suggests that knowledge management needs to be embedded in library and information work. Knowledge management is perceived to enhance the information professional‘s work and improve information service provision. However, the confusion, variations and concerns expressed indicate that knowledge management is still a difficult area requiring a lot of development. It is recommended that KM be embedded in institutional programs for it to be effective. As a result, the study has proposed a model to address the specific needs of university libraries in Kenya. It is expected that this study will offer insight into knowledge management practices in university libraries and the benefits that can be gained by embracing the concept for optimum output. The model that has been suggested will hopefully guide university libraries in Kenya towards the application of knowledge management in influencing their information service provision.