Content

Other areas of local government see the potential and the political kudos from embrac 

ing ICT. Libraries need to ensure that their skills in information collection, description

and retrieval are recognised by the organisation. Indeed, organisations are beginning to

realise the dangers inherent in failing to organise information management functions

around the library. Whilst this statement could be applied more readily in the private

sector, we would argue that the same lesson applies in local government. It suggests a

paradigm shift in the role of librarians in local government. Take the following 

statement and consider its relevance to local government:

 Regardless of the specific business need, the processes that most Intranets need to sup 

port are similar. The knowledge management (KM) process framework should drive

these processes. In  Introducing the GartnerGroup KM Process Framework,  we

described the following stages:

  Create: Identify, select and maintain the internal and external information sources 

  Capture: Target and exercise editorial control over audiences 

  Organise: Establish principles and systems for organising, indexing, cataloguing and

classifying content, as well as creating consistent vocabularies and standards 

  Access: Create a map of information repositories and interfaces to allow access (e.g.,

search engines and portals) 

  Use: Apply the information to generate value 

These processes should not be considered in isolation; enterprises need to establish cen 

tral control. The IS department can manage the technology and the data, but should not

manage the information or the knowledge. Instead, enterprises should consider libraries

or information resource centres (IRCs) as the natural home for the information and KM

functions. Traditionally, libraries and IRCs managed external information. Today, they

should be used to manage internal and external information.

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Content can be created in a number of ways. Tampere Library in Finland is working

with volunteers to create community based net sites for the suburbs. These sites feature

events, advice (e.g., for gardeners) and list companies in the area. The library is also

working with the University Library on an images project. Another library sponsored

project is the Tampere history project (http://www.history.tampere.fi/main.htm) where

people can write their own biographies and memoirs online. There are twenty 

volunteers, mainly senior citizens, who are involved in this project. It is used as a specif 

ic example of why people should learn to use the Internet. 

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