Small task - Knowledge Management

1. The aim of knowledge management is to use all knowledge, both tacit and explicit, to benefit an organisation.
2. Explicit knowledge is knowledge that has been recognised and recorded in some way, tacit knowledge is knowledge held by people that often cannot be easily codified.
3. TCL does well in some of the areas listed but not others. I think there is good communication within the organisation. Each team had a weekly meeting, there are monthly whole staff meetings and also monthly meetings for the larger teams. There are regular report-back sessions from people who have attended training or outside events or simply to update people on new developments. Feedback is sought on new initiatives. Information Technology is used well to share information. As well as email, there is an intranet and a blog. Feedback is always sought from attendees at any special events that are run, requests for book purchases are generally acted on and general feedback is also welcomed. I don't know of any process to capture the knowledge of people leaving the organisation or to distill learning from past experiences although documents are certainly archived. I don't know what is on the strategic list so can't comment whether funding reflects these priorities. Funding is controlled by the council so doesn't always reflect the priorities of the library mangers.
4. According to Broadbent's definition (1998) I am a knowledge worker. I have skill and expertise and my work is not routine. It focuses on the acquisition of knowledge.
5. Knowledge Management involves techniques to acquire, record, disseminate and use organisational knowledge of all types to ensure the success of the organisation.