deborah nanschild october 2004 librarians: an endangered species case study on an information...
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Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Librarians: An Endangered Species
Case Study on an information ecology to understand
organisations as knowledge ecologies
Librarians: An Endangered Species
Case Study on an information ecology to understand
organisations as knowledge ecologies
Deborah NanschildManagement, Education & Training Consultant
Doctor of Education (Workplace Learning) Deakin University
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Industrial Age to Information AgeIndustrial Age to Information Age
IndustrialAge
InformationAge
NowHistory
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Information Age to Knowledge EraInformation Age to Knowledge Era
IndustrialAge
Now Emergent Futures
Technocratic
InformationEcology
History
InformationAge
Knowledge Era
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Now: Libraries From the OutsideNow: Libraries From the Outside
Librarian
Manager
Information Request
GeneratedKnowledge
The Library Black Box
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Technocratic FutureTechnocratic Future
The automatic library
Librarian
Manager
Information Request
GeneratedKnowledge
Manager
Information Request
Information Request direct to the system
EfficientInformation
Technology
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Impact Of MetaphorImpact Of Metaphor Librarians an endangered species
At risk of loss
Technocratic metaphor Information age, dominated by technology
Need for new metaphor That takes into account all that librarians do Myth: technology will save us
Information Ecology Why is this endangered species important? Knowledge generation & knowledge sharing Shifting role to Knowledge Consultant
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Information Ecology FutureInformation Ecology Future
Librarian(Knowledge Worker)
Manager
Programmer
Information Request
GeneratedKnowledge
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
ImplicationsImplicationsTechnocratic
Funding for machines
Funding for systems dev. & computer networks
Programmers write the instructions for functional use
Programmers determine how technology is used
Tech. the system
Technology driven
ATM libraries
Information Ecology Funding for people
(knowl. workers)
Funding to support collaborative learning & k-sharing
Instructions have a learning focus with end user in mind
Work group determines what technology and why
Technology a tool
Knowledge driven
Ecological libraries
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Information Ecology FeaturesInformation Ecology Features- A system of people, practices, values & technologies in
a particular local environment.
- Spotlight not on technology but on human activities that are served by technology.
Nardi & O’Day 1999 Information Ecologies: Using Technology with Heart
Attention on relationships involving tools & people & their practices
Strategic thought questions – “what if?”
‘Know-why’ as well as ‘know-how’
Diversity essential to health of the ecology
Co-evolution: requires participation to sustain
K of local ecology – workplace; organisation
Guided by core values
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
The Importance of ValuesThe Importance of Values A library is a place where
people & technology come together in congenial relations, guided by the values in the library.
Access to information for all clients is a core value of libraries.
Values are deeply held beliefs that influence workplace culture.
Values are often tacit & unexamined yet they drive our behaviour.
People expend a lot of energy to preserve their core values.
Infringement of core values can lead to terminal conflict in teams & cause havoc in productivity & success for the organisation.
Organisational values may not reflect personal values of knowledge workers.
Values are a strong ENABLER for learning & connecting people to the organisation’s fundamental identity.
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
The Importance of Values & The Learning OrganisationThe Importance of Values & The Learning Organisation
The capacity to learn is necessary for survival in the 21st century.
A values-based approach to workplace learning and organisational life has potential to accelerate individual, team and organisational learning.
These are the key foci of the Learning Organisation.
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
The Importance of Values & The Learning OrganisationThe Importance of Values & The Learning Organisation
Personal Mastery Personal values
Team Learning Team values
Building Shared Vision Organisation Values
Mental Models Values in Context
Systems Thinking Ecological Metaphor
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
“To succeed in the new world we will all have to learn first who we are.”
Drucker 2000
“To succeed in the new world we will all have to learn first who we are.”
Drucker 2000
The development of personal and professional attributes that support the knowledge worker is a key principle upon which Professional Development in the knowledge era is based.
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
PD for the future K WorkerPD for the future K Worker
Themes: Self motivated
learning Exposure to new
ideas Learning by doing Conversations &
networking Challenge Consolidation of
learning
Key Capabilities: Rapid k-gathering & k-
sharing Pattern recognition,
problem solving & sense making skills
Becoming designers Contextual
understanding Research & analytical
skills Ability to acquire new
skills Productivity & creativity Tolerance for
ambiguity Interest in life-long
learning
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Situated Learning in the K EraSituated Learning in the K Era PD initiatives that reflect situational learning
and development as an active process will have the most impact on the effectiveness of the knowledge worker.
Situated learning takes place in the same situation as that in which knowledge is to be used.
Situated k: workplace culture, social practices
Strategic k: how to decide what to do & when
Conceptual k: knowing ‘that’
Procedural k: knowing ‘how’ Personal k: knowing oneself & personal values
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Communities of PracticeCommunities of Practice Situated knowledge
Vocation based Local ecology knowledge & workplace practices Culture of organisation
K Workers use different learning methods Utilise relationships to increase knowledge Opportunities for exposure to new concepts / ideas Co-participation (co-evolution) in k generation
Communities of Practice Foster thinking as collaborative social practice Activities that communicate & construct meaning Significant forum for situated learning Key to knowledge development & application
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
A library is an information ecology
A library is an information ecology
A place that transforms ‘borrowed knowledge’ into generated
knowledge.
Where knowledge generation and knowledge sharing through
communities of practice is occurring.
Where all members of the ecology are actively participating and
motivated to learn.
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
A library is an information ecology
A library is an information ecology
A place where librarians as knowledge brokers and knowledge consultants are
not an endangered species.
Where the library is recognised as the knowledge centre for organisational
learning.
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Organisations as Knowledge Ecologies
Organisations as Knowledge Ecologies
Have the features of an information ecology, especially in the library.
Considers how people engage their own values and commitments whilst
using technology.
Focuses upon relationships involving tools and people and their work
practices.
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Organisations as Knowledge Ecologies
Organisations as Knowledge Ecologies
Are able to capture and make visible the knowledge generated by
individuals through collaborative work practices.
Recognise learning & knowledge generation as an organic process.
Are organic rather than hierarchical structures that reflect organisations as
ecosystems.
Deborah Nanschild October 2004
Knowledge Organisations look like Knowledge
Ecologies
Knowledge Organisations look like Knowledge
Ecologies
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Margaret Mead