Knowledge Management Education for LIS Professionals: Some Recent Perspectives

Abstract

Reported here are the findings from an international survey which is part of a research project on the implications of knowledge management (KM) for the library and information science (LIS) profession. Surveying the views of members of two international mailing lists, we try to assess the reasons for the view that LIS education should move towards inclusion of KM in library education. We also consider the views of our respondents regarding the nature and content of KM programs needed to meet the challenges of the work environment. We found out that there is a strong interest among LIS professionals toward the inclusion of KM in their educational programs in order to expand the skills of LIS professionals and facilitate their entry into the KM job market. Most LIS professionals in this study believe that a curriculum which embodies core elements of LIS, management, and information systems would best meet the needs of LIS professionals in KM work environment.