Implementing Knowledge Management in Academic Libraries in Cameroon: A Librarian’s Perception

Abstract

The emergence of knowledge management (KM) has offered academic libraries the opportunity to improve

effectiveness, both for themselves and for their institutions. Despite the increasing interest in knowledge management by a

wide range of library professionals, the acceptance, adoption, and implementation of KM is still very slow particularly in

academic libraries of developing countries like Cameroon. To prove their relevance, value, and operational efficiency

amidst institutional, financial and socio-cultural and political challenges, the implementation of knowledge management

remains a viable means in which academic libraries in Cameroon can greatly valorize their services and operations.

This paper seeks to investigate the possible implementation of knowledge management in academic libraries in Cameroon.

Through a quantitative method of data collection, this study explores librarians’ familiarity with the concepts of knowledge

management, current KM practices, tools used, and perceived challenges to incorporate KM into academic library practices

in six out of eight public universities in Cameroon. The study design is based on a literature review and a structured

questionnaire containing both open- and closed-ended questions. Findings indicate that the term “knowledge management”

is not very familiar to most library professionals in Cameroon. Most of those who have heard about knowledge

management could not define the term in their own words. Most librarians are not involved in KM practices. Those who

are aware of KM appreciate its benefits through the use of explicit knowledge. Some KM tools used by librarians were

identified. Lack of knowledge sharing culture, misunderstanding of the concept, lack of infrastructure, no policy, and no

involvement of hierarchy, are the major challenges faced by librarians to incorporate and implement KM into academic

library practices. Professional education and training programs, information technology, knowledge sharing, and

communities of practices were identified as basic requirements needed for the implementation of KM. The study

recommends and emphasizes the need to adopt and implement KM in academic libraries in Cameroon.