FROM FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS: THE DEVELOPMENT OF KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT IN A PUBLIC LIBRARY

This paper explores the issue of managing knowledge within a medium sized public library, and how knowledge management (KM) principles, often practiced in corporate environments can be effective within non-profit organizations. The study investigates how organizational structure and culture as well as knowledge exchange strategies within a library setting promote the practice of KM. In addition, the paper also identifies a technological gap in the organization's current strategies and recommends an Intranet based solution to augment current knowledge sharing practices. This study seeks to contribute to the body of research related to the practice of KM within the library domain, identify successful knowledge sharing initiatives already in practice as well as propose a low cost IT based solution with the potential to enhance the practice of KM within libraries.