Knowledge - Definition, Growth, Types and Value

Definition:

                Knowledge is the collection of information, facts, skills, and understanding on a topic that an individual acquires through education, experience, and critical thinking.

Growth of Knowledge:

                           Research Gate reports that the average annual research growth rate for Library and Information Science (LIS) publications worldwide is 10.46%. The United States is at the forefront of research in the field of Library and Information Science, with 29,349 articles, with the UK and China following closely behind. Spain leads in LIS research growth, with an average annual increase of 28.70%, with Australia and China following closely behind. 

                LIS is a field that combines the principles, approaches, and technologies of management, information technology, education, and various other disciplines to improve libraries. With the emergence of the knowledge-based economy, the significance of knowledge management in libraries is increasing. Knowledge management involves efficiently identifying, obtaining, cultivating, addressing, utilizing, storing, and disseminating knowledge.

Types of Knowledge:

There are 7 types of knowledge explained here-

1. Explicit knowledge: Explicit knowledge refers to information that can be easily documented in writing and shared widely. This type of knowledge is typically structured and organized. If a company effectively manages its explicit knowledge, it can lead to improved decision-making, time-saving, and sustained performance growth. These forms of explicit knowledge are typically what has been documented in a knowledge base or included in a knowledge management plan. It is a structured document that can be utilized to perform a task, reach a decision, or communicate information to a group.
   
   
   Example: Frequently Asked Questions, guidance, unprocessed data and corresponding analyses, visual representations, summary documents, and presentations outlining strategies.
   
   
2. Implicit knowledge: Implicit knowledge is essentially knowledge gained through experience or practice. Obtaining it requires using specific knowledge in a particular situation. Implicit knowledge is acquired through the process of discovering the most effective approach to completing a task. You can use that experience and combine it with other knowledge you have gained to tackle a brand-new problem.
   
   
3. Tacit knowledge: Tacit knowledge is unseen information that can be challenging to articulate directly, like concepts that are commonly grasped without being explicitly stated and are typically based on personal or cultural understandings. This kind of knowledge is informal, acquired through practical experience over some time, and typically relates to a particular scenario.
   
   
4. Procedural knowledge: Procedural knowledge emphasizes the methods or techniques used to perform a task and is shown through one's capability to carry out a specific action. While declarative knowledge is concerned with the facts and details of 'who, what, where, or when', procedural knowledge is demonstrated through practical application or written instructions.
   
   
5. Declarative knowledge: Declarative knowledge, also known as propositional knowledge, consists of fixed information and facts related to a particular subject that is readily available and retrievable. This refers to a form of knowledge in which the individual is fully conscious of their comprehension of the topic. Information of this kind is usually kept in written records or electronic databases, emphasizing details such as who, what, where, and when, while placing less emphasis on how or why. Once something is documented, it lays the groundwork for comprehending the topic and can assist businesses in enhancing the way they communicate procedural and explicit knowledge.
   
   
6. Posteriori knowledge: A posterior knowledge comes from personal experience and is subjective in nature. Although this knowledge may not be suitable for inclusion in a company's knowledge base, it remains essential for the success of teams. This type of knowledge allows people to understand their strengths and weaknesses based on their past experiences and can assist in companies creating diverse teams with a range of skills.
   
   
7. Prior knowledge: Prior knowledge is knowledge that is acquired without the need for evidence or experience, in contrast to posterior knowledge. This kind of information is commonly transmitted through logical thinking, or someone's capacity to think conceptually. Even though a priori knowledge may not be officially recorded, it is frequently demonstrated by a team's capacity to comprehend and problem-solve in various scenarios.

Values of Knowledge in Library and Information Science:

                            Acquiring knowledge in library and information science is crucial as readers absorb and understand the information and data provided in library collections. Libraries are crucial for local communities as they offer access to information and resources, they support education, and they encourage ongoing learning throughout life.

                               The fundamental values of knowledge in librarianship include Access, Equity, Intellectual freedom and privacy, Public good, and Sustainability. Libraries gather, organize, share, save, and make use of written materials to offer services to the community.

Knowledge management in libraries should focus on:

1. Effective research and development of knowledge
2. Creation of knowledge bases
3. Exchange and sharing of knowledge between library staff and users
4. Training library staff
5. Speeding up explicit processing of implicit knowledge and realization of its sharing