Application of knowledge management in university libraries: issues and challenges

The conventional function of university libraries is to collect, process, disseminate, store and utilise information to the university community. However, the environment in which university libraries operate today is changing. University libraries are hearts of the universities and hub of its organisational culture. Whatever affects universities has an impact on libraries. As a result, the role of university libraries is changing to provide the competitive advantage for the parent universities. The success of university libraries depends on their ability to utilise information and knowledge of its staff to better serve the needs of the academic community. The evolving information and knowledge has impacted libraries which has made knowledge management become important for libraries. This requires university librarians to reappraise their functions, expand their roles and responsibilities to effectively contribute and meet the needs of a large and diverse university community. Knowledge management is a viable means in which university libraries could improve their services in the present knowledge era. The paper suggests the adoption of strategies toward effective KM in university libraries would make universities to be competitive in the global academic community.