The role of continuing education in developing knowledge management applications in Arab university libraries

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the developmental role of continuing education in enhancing knowledge management applications within Arab university libraries through a comparative analytical study of Iraqi and Egyptian universities, specifically the universities of Baghdad, Mustansiriyah, Alexandria, and Mansoura. The research seeks to improve knowledge management mechanisms by enhancing the skills, expertise, and capabilities of library personnel through active participation in training courses, workshops, lectures, and specialized seminars. The study adopted the analytical survey method, as it was deemed the most suitable approach to achieve its objectives, while purposive sampling was selected due to its relevance to the nature of the study. The findings revealed a strong correlation between knowledge management applications and continuing education in the examined university libraries, with a correlation coefficient of 0.756, indicating a significant positive relationship between these two variables. Additionally, the study found a notable impact of continuing education on knowledge management applications, with an effect percentage of 57.1%, reflecting the crucial role that training and professional development play in improving knowledge management in university libraries. Based on these findings, the study recommends intensifying training activities and specialized seminars in the field of library and information sciences, ensuring the availability of qualified human resources to enhance the quality of services provided to beneficiaries, and allocating appropriate budgets to meet university library needs, whether in updating resources or offering training opportunities locally and internationally, thus facilitating the acquisition of expertise that aligns with global standards in library services.