Leveraging Knowledge Management to Enhance Library Services in the 21st Century Educational Environment A Literature Review
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Abstract
In the rapidly evolving 21st-century educational landscape, academic and corporate libraries face a critical juncture, adapt or risk obsolescence. In a knowledge-driven society, these libraries must redefine their structures and management processes to maintain their competitive edge. Knowledge management (KM), originally designed for corporate settings, is increasingly recognized for its potential to transform libraries from traditional repositories into dynamic hubs that actively create, disseminate, and utilize information within the knowledge society. This paper reviews relevant literature to establish a foundation for understanding the current influence of KM on academic and corporate libraries, with specific examples from Zambia. It explores how KM practices can enhance library management, services, and user satisfaction. The potential shift from conventional information storage to proactive information curation is highlighted, positioning libraries as key contributors to the continuous flow of knowledge in our interconnected world. The paper argues that by integrating KM as their operational model, libraries can transform into enablers and advocates within the knowledge economy
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