STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY LIBRARIANS AND THE CHALLENGES OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES OF NORTH-EASTERN NIGERIA
1Kabiru Dahiru Abbas & 2Usman Muhammed Song
1Department of Library and Information Sciences, Bayero University, Kano
2Library, Center for Entrepreneurship Development, Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa
Email: raussong@yahoo.co.uk, kdabbas.lis@buk.edu.ng
ABSTRACT
The study investigated Strategies of Knowledge Management practices adopted by professional librarians and challenges confr Suleiman SA’ADU Matazu onting KM practice for effective service delivery in Academic Libraries in Nigeria. Adopting the principles of Quantitative Approach to collect numeric data, the study sampled 121 professional librarians from six academic libraries and a returned rate of 91 (75.2%) was used for the analysis using Descriptive and Inferential Statistics. The study revealed the major reasons for KM practice as the need to improved library services and customer satisfaction (3.97 mean marks) and identify expertise among librarians to tap and use initiatives (3.84). The findings explored strategies employed by professional librarians in practicing KM as rewarding the leadership and restructuring skill competencies strategy (2.67), adoption of social media for staff/user interaction and digitization strategy (3.86), Knowledge networking and sharing strategy. The challenges confronting KM practices include insufficient tools and technologies, Lack of centralized policy for KM, intellectual challenge of managing tacit knowledge and cultural challenge of capturing and sharing knowledge. The Linear Regression Analysis shows a very strong correlation between Strategies Adopted and the Reasons for practicing KM in enhancing effective service delivery in academic libraries (r=0.892 p value<.05). The study recommended the establishment of well-written KM policies and organizing sensitization workshops.
Keywords: Knowledge Management, KM Strategies, KM Challenges, Academic Library
