The Role of Special Libraries for Building Knowledge-based Economy in Bangladesh

Abstract

The study examines the role of special libraries for building knowledge-based economy (KBE) in Bangladesh. To ascertain the current scenario of the role of special libraries to build KBE, the study explores the perceptions of information professionals (IPs) of special libraries regarding KBE in Bangladesh. This study also identifies the key skills and competencies that are needed for the IPs of special libraries for successfully contributing KBE in Bangladesh. Furthermore, this study expands from the traditional role of IPs of special libraries to modern role in the knowledge economy (KE) era, including Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals, with greater opportunities for building KBE in Bangladesh. In addition, it also finds out the initiatives taken to facilitate knowledge sharing (KS) activities for KBE in Bangladesh. The review of literatures reveals that Bangladesh is moving to knowledge-based country; and the country has a bigger plan to make a ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by 2021. Many scholars and international reports have investigated about how KBE can be established in Bangladesh from different perspectives. Furthermore, many authors and librarians internationally show how libraries and IPs are connected to build KBE in the country. Special libraries are significantly changing rather than other libraries in Bangladesh. Moreover, the roles of special librarian or IPs of special libraries are changing rapidly, because of the user demand of modern information services using digital technology, digital applications in the organization. Therefore, there is a substantial gap in the literature to explore the scenario of the role of special libraries for building KBE in Bangladesh. To achieve research objectives of the study, we employed survey method in an inductive approach using a structured questionnaire consisting of open and closed-ended questions. Face-to-face and telephonic interview techniques were used as the instrument of data collection. The research design was a mixed method approach that is a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches. We used the descriptive analysis techniques of Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 25.0 to analyze data and compare the mean and standard deviations. Microsoft excels was also used to represent the data graphically. We selected different special libraries of Bangladesh based on their involvement in knowledge management (KM), and KBE as well as modern library and information services, and skilled and experienced professionals with modern technology and digital applications in Bangladesh. This study has been carried out with thirty-nine (39) respondents who are working in the different special libraries as an IP in diverse positions in Bangladesh took part as the respondents. This study also indicates that perceptions of IPs of specials libraries and key skills and competencies that are needed for the IPs to involve KBE in Bangladesh. Moreover, it also reveals that IPs of special libraries including LIS professionals, their traditional role to modern role, with greater opportunities for building KBE in Bangladesh. Furthermore, it also investigates the present scenario of KS activities for KBE in Bangladesh. This study also shows the practical implications of the research for the IPs of special libraries, LIS education and professionals, and LIS students. The current study provides guidelines and recommendations for further research to investigate another research including all special libraries of Bangladesh with adequate time and sufficient fund. In addition, further research project may be undertaken covering all libraries as well as all LIS professionals, LIS students, and KM experts in LIS education to explore the potentialities and massive contributions of LIS professional for converting Bangladesh into knowledgebased society and her economy will be knowledge-based economy.