Collaborative technology for information sharing, knowledge creation and management in libraries

Abstract

Technologies play an important role in information dissemination, sharing, use and creation. Libraries are no longer a place encompassed by walls but space that is open to interpretation and use by patrons through the use of various technologies that keep emerging almost on a daily basis. Since no man is an island and disciplines have been proven to be interdisciplinary, there is the need for collaboration among scholars. These collaborations can be done through the use of collaborative technologies as they enhance information sharing that leads to creation of new knowledge and will boost the knowledge management activity of the library. This paper therefore, explores the use of collaborative technology for information sharing, knowledge creation and management. It examines the roles of information sharing as a means to facilitate the generation of new knowledge and how this knowledge is managed and used for organisational benefit. It looks at various collaborative technologies and their implication for enabling knowledge creation and management. These technologies include social media platforms, crowd sourced platforms and artificial intelligence. It also provides an overview of the concept of knowledge management and its relationship to information sharing. It then reviews the different collaborative technologies and their roles in facilitating the sharing, creation and management of new knowledge. Recommendations are then made for the effective use of technologies by academics to foster collaborative information sharing, knowledge creation and management.