Transportation Library Quick Guide: Knowledge Management: Role of the Library

While some efforts to preserve knowledge occur in programs, divisions or other units within transportation agencies, KM can be most effective if agencies approach it in an organized, methodical fashion. A logical manager of this process is a librarian or information services provider for two primary reasons. These individuals:

• Are in the business of searching for, organizing and disseminating information.
• Work across disciplines within their agencies to engage with research managers, leadership, engineers, planners and other subject matter experts.

An agencywide KM plan or strategy can promote actions—many relatively simple and low-cost—to save and leverage this institutional knowledge. State transportation agencies will benefit from managing this intangible asset, and libraries, librarians and information services providers can play an important role in developing and maintaining a system to do so.