Deborah Nanschild Management, Education & Training Consultant

1. Librarians: An Endangered SpeciesCase Study on an information ecology to understand organisations as knowledge ecologies Deborah Nanschild Management, Education & Training Consultant Doctor of Education (Workplace Learning) Deakin University dnanschild@bigpond.com Deborah Nanschild October 2004

2. Industrial Age to Information Age History Now IndustrialAge InformationAge Deborah Nanschild October 2004

3. Information Age to Knowledge Era History Now Emergent Futures Knowledge Era IndustrialAge Technocratic InformationEcology InformationAge Deborah Nanschild October 2004

4. Now: Libraries From the Outside Manager Information Request The Library Black Box GeneratedKnowledge Librarian Deborah Nanschild October 2004

5. EfficientInformation Information Request direct to the system Technocratic Future • The automatic library Manager Manager Information Request Information Request GeneratedKnowledge Librarian Technology Deborah Nanschild October 2004

6. Impact 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

7. Information Ecology Future Manager Information Request GeneratedKnowledge Librarian(Knowledge Worker) Programmer Deborah Nanschild October 2004

8. Technocratic 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 Implications Deborah Nanschild October 2004

9. Information 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

10. 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. The Importance of Values Deborah Nanschild October 2004

11. The 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

12. Personal Mastery Personal values Team Learning Team values Building Shared Vision Organisation Values Mental Models Values in Context Systems Thinking Ecological Metaphor The Importance of Values & The Learning Organisation Deborah Nanschild October 2004

13. “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

14. 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 PD for the future K Worker Deborah Nanschild October 2004

15. Situated 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

16. Communities 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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 Deborah Nanschild October 2004