Knowledge Sharing Practices in University Libraries in Katsina State, Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Knowledge sharing is vital for human and organizational existence and development. Despite its importance, knowledge sharing is greatly undermined by many situational factors in university libraries worldwide, university libraries in Katsina State are not exceptional either. This study, therefore, aimed at investigating the knowledge sharing practices among university libraries in Katsina State from the perspective of a developing country, Nigeria. It examined the strategies employed in knowledge sharing, investigated the technological tools used in knowledge sharing, and identified the challenges of knowledge sharing among the university libraries. Descriptive survey design was adopted and data for the study were collected from 171 respondents using a dichotomous structured questionnaire. The findings showed that explicit knowledge (such as e-journals, databases, and e-books) and tacit knowledge (like observation, knowhow, and working experience) are not considerably shared in the university libraries studied. Further, the study demonstrates that strategies such as: seminars, workshops, meetings, job rotation, training programme, community of practice, social networks, among others were not commonly used for knowledge sharing in the libraries. The study also revealed that knowledge sharing exists in the libraries but low; due to poor interaction, ignorance, nonchalant attitude and awareness, technology and postal service issues, lack of cooperation, poor funding and telecommunication networks. Therefore, the study proffered some suggestions for improvement.



Journal Title: Nigerian Libraries

Category: Library and Information Science

ISSN: 0029-0122

Year of Establishment: 1963

Section: Library and Information Sciences

Volume: 56

Issue: 2

Total Download: 0

Muhammad Kabir Abubakar & Asiya Almustapha Dangani. 2024 Knowledge Sharing Practices in University Libraries in Katsina State, Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects. Nigerian Libraries. 56 (2). 54-70. https://doi.org/10.61955/QRYJZQ

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