PurposeThis paper aims to discuss the applications of knowledge management (KM) for library practice.Design/methodology/approachThe paper starts by reviewing the relevant literature and then the results of an empirical study which investigated the perceptions of LIS community on the relevance of KM to libraries. The involvement of libraries in KM programs is also presented.FindingsThe results show that the LIS community exhibits a positive attitude towards introducing KM to libraries, and not only because this could bring libraries closer to their parent organization, but also because it might help them to survive in an increasingly challenging environment.Practical implicationsAlthough there are some indicators of involvement of libraries in KM in published case studies (through activities such as development of intranets and institutional repositories of content management and embedding information literacy instruction in the curriculum and employing web 2.0 technologies for knowledge sharing), libraries are still in the early stage of understanding the potential implications of KM.Originality/valueThe paper focuses on KM in the library community.

Purpose -To identify the general perspectives of library and information science professionals on knowledge management and examine their assessments of its potential values, benefits, opportunities and threats to the profession. Design/methodology/approach -An international survey was conducted using a web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire targeted LIS professionals around the world, through the use of the IFLA-L, KMDG-L mailing lists. Findings -The survey found an increased awareness among LIS professionals of their potential contribution to knowledge management, with a high agreement on its positive implications for both individuals and the profession. Research limitations/implications -Although the survey was distributed through international mailing lists, it succeeded mainly in obtaining responses from Australia and New Zealand, the USA, the UK, South Africa and Canada. Thus, the findings may have limitations in their generalizability. Originality/value -Knowledge management is a field with which the LIS community is already familiar. Despite its wide impact on many aspects of the profession, the wider ramifications of the relationship between the two as yet remain unclear. The paper attempts to contribute to further understanding of these ramifications.

Purpose – The purpose of the present paper is to investigate the familiarity and use of reference management software (RMS) by library and information science (LIS) faculties in Iran, and aims to identify the possible factors that lead to the application and choice of this software. Design/methodology/approach – This is a descriptive survey. Data collected by a Web-based questionnaire include both open-ended and multiple-choice questions. The questionnaires were distributed among LIS discussion groups and were sent to the e-mails of LIS faculties. Findings – Results reveal that over half of the respondents had a good familiarity with the various citation software packages and knew how to use them; 35 per cent of respondents have learned how to use these packages through formal education. “Endnote” is the most popular software among respondents. Respondents confirm the need to offer some educational programs on how to use these software packages to bachelor students, and nominated the “Academic Writing” course as the proper place for teaching this topic. Originality/value – If due attention is given to the importance of referencing in academic writing and to establishing criteria for the acceptance of papers for publication, teaching students how to carry out referencing and how to use RMS packages for this purpose will aid the promotion of scientific products. To determine whether LIS educators are able to teach the use of RMS packages, it is necessary to examine the extent to which they are familiar with these programs.

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