Capturing and formalization of indigenous knowledge in academic libraries : a case of local communities in Masasi and Nachingwea Districts, Tanzania

Abstract

There has been a growing need for concerted efforts towards the capturing, preservation and formalization of indigenous knowledge for global visibility. The thrust of this paper is to explore the role of academic libraries in capturing and formalization of indigenous knowledge so as to help the readers understand the ways in which indigenous knowledge is captured and formalized in academic libraries for future use. The status of indigenous knowledge management practices, experiences on IK creation, sharing, use and preservation among local communities in two selected districts in Tanzania, the benefi ts of indigenous knowledge and areas of Indigenous Knowledge application in Tanzania are also discussed in this paper. The study suggests that academic libraries should come up with policies and framework of capturing and formalizing indigenous knowledge. It is therefore,concluded that academic librarians as knowledge gatekeepers, navigators and managers of information have a key and leading role in identifying, capturing, repackaging, preserving and disseminating indigenous knowledge for future access and global visibility.