KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN SELECTED PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN SOUTH-WEST AND NORTH-CENTRAL, NIGERIA

Abstract

Knowledge management has become an important tool for improving service delivery and enhancing organisational performance in libraries. Public libraries, as significant information centers, require functional knowledge management practices to facilitate knowledge creation, sharing, and utilisation. However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of formal policies, and inadequate knowledge-sharing culture continue to affect their effectiveness in Nigeria. This study therefore examined knowledge management practices in selected public libraries in Nigeria and also examined existing gaps in knowledge management practices and evaluated the extent to which institutional support and staff competencies influence effective knowledge sharing and utilization. The study adopted a descriptive survey design, and data were collected from 60 library staff across public libraries in Oyo State, Osun State, Kwara State, and Ekiti State using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. Findings revealed that knowledge management practices are at a high level, with a grand mean of 3.20. The study identified people, process, technology, policy and governance, and organisational culture as components influencing these practices, with organisational culture and technology ranking highest. The study concludes that strengthening these components will enhance knowledge sharing, improve service delivery and reposition public libraries in Nigeria.