Abstract
Background: Given the changes in society resulting from the explosion of information and knowledge in a knowledge economy, academic libraries are becoming an integral part of the knowledge system, and knowledge management is recognised as a vital process in academic libraries. The success of academic libraries in the competitive and challenging knowledge environment depends on their ability to utilise information and knowledge to meet the needs of the academic community.Objectives: This article investigates knowledge management processes at St Paul’s University Library in Kenya and suggests ways in which knowledge management processes may be enhanced.Method: A qualitative research approach and a case study research design have been adopted. Out of the 50 target population, only 32 were successfully interviewed to the point of saturation, and the data were analysed using content analysis.Results: The findings revealed that knowledge management processes were utilised at St Paul’s University Library, albeit to varying degrees, and the knowledge management processes were not formalised.Conclusion: The article recommends that knowledge management processes should be formally incorporated at academic libraries in Kenya. A formal knowledge management process at St Paul’s University Library may be realised through an institutionalised written knowledge management policy with leadership buy-in. A future quantitative survey of knowledge management processes in all academic libraries in Kenya is suggested.
Highlights
The evolution of the information and knowledge society has altered the ways in which services are provided in academic libraries, making knowledge management an imperative (Koloniari & Fassoulis 2017; Mavodza & Ngulube 2011)
Knowledge management in academic libraries will promote job effectiveness and make the library relevant to its parent institution, thereby offering the opportunity to expand the role of libraries in areas where librarians have had little impact in (Ongus et al 2015; Thanuskodi 2010; Wen 2005)
Academic libraries have long enjoyed their status as the ‘heart of the university’
Summary
Given the changes in society resulting from the explosion of information and knowledge in a knowledge economy, academic libraries are becoming an integral part of the knowledge system, and knowledge management is recognised as a vital process in academic libraries. The success of academic libraries in the competitive and challenging knowledge environment depends on their ability to utilise information and knowledge to meet the needs of the academic community
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