EMPOWERING NIGERIAN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES THROUGH KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT ENHANCEMENT

Abstract

Knowledge management plays a crucial role in the growth and success of individuals and organizations, with libraries serving as essential repositories of knowledge. Inefficient knowledge management can lead to the wastage of resources, both financial and human. Librarians are well-positioned to ensure that institutional knowledge repositories are effectively managed and transformed into valuable assets for sustainable utilization. This paper explores the concept of Knowledge Management (KM) and its significance in organizations. KM involves identifying, capturing, disseminating, and leveraging knowledge for the benefit of staff, employers, and clients. To excel in this role, individuals need to acquire high levels of skill and competence, particularly in the context of the information age. Knowledge is dynamic and represents a key to achieving organizational goals. As Nonaka (1991) observed, knowledge is a source of lasting competitive advantage. In today's global community, institutions responsible for gathering, preserving, and disseminating knowledge must possess the capacity to manage knowledge effectively.