Systems Thinking and Information Literacy: Elements of a Knowledge Enabling Workplace Environment

Dynamic technology-driven circumstances fortify academic librarians’ reconsideration of their professional purposes, processes and relationships. In response, California Polytechnic State University librarians in San Luis Obispo, California use Soft Systems Methodology tools and information literacy principles and practices. These processes advance data - driven dialogue on design and development of enhanced information and knowledge management tools. This action research approach produces new conversations that heighten information exchange and knowledge flow among librarians and with faculty and student constituencies. Reflective physical and virtual knowledge flow now supports work-in-progress that focuses on co-creation of a technology-enabled ‘learning commons’ involving an expanded set of campus stakeholders. Library practitioners’ increased confidence and capability predict productivity enhancement and continuous learning as they assume new roles as architects of digital information and knowledge learning spaces.