Knowledge management, user education and librarianship

Abstract

The role for librarians in knowledge management (KM) in terms of designing information systems, creating classification systems and taxonomies, and implementing and operating those systems is obvious. Not so obvious is a key role for librarians in user education and training. A recent study by KPMG of KM systems implementations reveals an alarmingly high failure and disappointment rate, with more than half of the failures attributable to inadequate user training and education (though remarkably this goes essentially unremarked upon). Librarians are skilled in user education and training. The need and the match is obvious. Develops that theme and draws on two other key information phenomena. and draws conclusions from them about the potential role for librarians in user education and training in the context of KM initiatives.