KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT MORE HYPE OR THE LIBRARIAN AS PROLETARIAN?

James H. Sweetland, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, North American Convenor

In the last year or two, a growing amount of discussion has appeared on the topic of "knowledge management". Like many other terms suddenly coming into vogue, there is a singular lack of clarity on its exact meaning, but there seem to be two major definitions. One sees this as a new term reflecting what good librarians have always done making information available in a useable form. Another sees the term as reflecting a new concept treating all information as the raw data from which true "knowledge" comes, and packaging this data to present actual "knowledge." This latter sees "KM" as a new idea, going beyond both traditional librarianship and traditional information analysis, to create a new function in life (or, to date, actually in the for-profit corporation).

To date, much of the discussion has either been over the exact meaning of the term, or regarding the implementation of systems which purport to either facilitate or create "knowledge management". I submit, however, that there is a third way of looking at this discussion, one which has very serious implications for all librarians, archivists, and "information professionals" however they are called. This is the elimination of human beings wherever possible.

For example, a recent article in eContent (formerly known as Database) described the concept as "the basic notion that every organization has a large volume of data in circulation. These data consist of tangible information, such as reports, presentations, financial facts and figures and the like. They also consist of a large body of intangible information, things like dress codes, how to get office supplies, and which secretaries know how to get things done. It is not just a better way to index, store, and retrieve information; it is a fundamental change in the nature of how people work with information." (Robert Schwarzwalder, "Librarians as Knowledge Management Agents", eContent (August/September, 1999), p. 63.

Other discussions of the KM concept regularly state that one of its components is a change in the "hoarding" of information. If KM is truly achieved, it appears that such knowledge as which secretaries are most competent will become common property.

To date, I have seen either arguments about the definition, or predictions of a glowing future. I submit there is another way to look at this Knowledge Management is the latest effort to eliminate the personalization of information. Once in place (and usually this is done with a computer database), all information will be readily available to all in the organization. So, when this happens, what, forsooth, will happen to the person who holds information?

They will become just like all the other persons who used to have unique information or, to take a phrase from the industrial world-cogs in the wheel. We already see the beginnings of this with the replacement of individual doctors� decisions by the drug formularies and so-called Artificial Intelligence systems of Health Maintenance Organizations. It is already well underway in the United States with the development of the so-called "big box" stores. Sectors of the economy like bookstores, druggists, hardware and lumber see the weekly demise of the small, personalized store to be replaced by the large identical chain stores. The process is nearly complete for the small casual diner, now replaced not only by chain "family" restaurants, but even by chain "diners" such as Ed Debevic�s which is a sanitized imitation of what a diner might have been like in the 1950�s.

There was considerable concern in the traditional industries after World War II about automation the fear that jobs would be eliminated and workers replaced by machines. After considerable argument, and regular assurances that this would not happen, the United States sees several areas of industry operated by robots (notably railroading and automobile manufacturing). As the millenium changes, we see the automation process well under way in the simpler white collar jobs, such as telephone operator (hardly anyone seems to like the seemingly endless phone menus, but they continue to proliferate).

Knowledge Management may be the beginnings of the process for the more skilled white collar workers. We have already accepted the term "information industry", and are well on the way to making information into a commodity. How long before the librarian becomes the latest assembly line worker in this industry? It wasn�t that long ago that computer programming was considered a very difficult, high paying and high status job. Now, large firms have huge rooms filled with small cubicles, bad ambient lighting, and overworked programmers.

As we consider changes in the information professions, keep in mind that the future isn�t always all that good, and that not all change is necessarily for the better.

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