Abstract:

The aim of this paper is to present and discuss some of the underlying imperatives when establishing a new knowledge management system within the university library, profiled as a learning support services organization within Mid Sweden University.

The concept of Knowledge management, as seen from a specific library perspective, has been broadly defined as the use of organizational knowledge through sound practices of information management and organizational learning (Broadbent, 1998). The different perspectives or discourses on knowledge management mainly puts its emphasis either on technology (and questions concerning technological aspects of knowledge management) or on social aspects such as the user’s reception or understanding of knowledge management systems in different settings. However, as Gold, Malhotra & Segars (2001) has noted, many so-called knowledge management projects are – in reality – information projects. When these projects yield some consolidation of data, but little innovation in products and services, the concept of knowledge management can be cast in doubt (ibid).

During the spring and autumn of 2017 a project called “Infrastrukturen UB” (“Infrastructure University Library”) was carried out, implementing what could be considered a knowledge management system within a newly restructured library organization consisting of four different departments, and physical libraries at different campus locations. Drawing from the result of the project and the experiences of the project’s team members, it can be shown how this project was influenced by technological and social imperatives within the organization at large during different phases of the project. In addition, it can be argued that further steps of development are needed for the established system to fully be considered a “true” knowledge management system.

Keywords:

Knowledge management, knowledge management system, technological imperative, social imperative, information structure, university library, project.