Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Law Library Journal
Publication Date
2016
Abstract
This article uses the Data-Information-Knowledge-Wisdom (DIKW) pyramid to help identify the exclusive knowledge base and practical skills that law librarians must possess to solve practical problems. Paragraphs 4–24 trace the historical debates on whether law librarianship is a profession, which focus on autonomy as a key component of a profession. The consensus is that autonomy boils down to two major issues: identifying problems and providing solutions through exclusive methods that are restricted to a profession. Both require a solid and exclusive abstract knowledge base. Paragraphs 25–77 discuss the epistemological approaches employed thus far to identify a knowledge basis for library and information science. This article argues that the epistemological approach is helpful to identify the nature of knowledge, but it does not reflect the moving feature of knowledge, that is, knowledge as a process to know. Therefore, the DIKW model is employed to examine the moving process. Examining law librarianship through the DIKW lens helps identify not only the abstract knowledge base but also the practical value that law librarians, as a profession, contribute exclusively and uniquely to society. Paragraphs 78–80 propose building a strong knowledge and power base by searching for metanoia1 on three levels: by individuals, through local institutions, and through national associations.
Recommended Citation
Alex Zhang, Discovering the Knowledge Monopoly of Law Librarianship Under the DIKW Pyramid, 108 Law Libr. J. 599 (2016).