Data mining and Libraries: a tool for knowledge management

Abstract

With the application of ICT new organizational structures are coming up. Libraries in order to be more efficient and effective are providing computer based information services. In healthcare industry, retail etc. data mining applications are being used to tap large data ware houses and repositories to extract meaningful information in order to achieve organizational goal. Some of the same issues and related processes are applicable to any environment where data gathering is essential to conduct business or provide services. Can we look for data mining to be applied in library settings to learn more about the needs of particular group of users, to assess the use of particular resources in order to make intelligent decision about collection development or redesigning of any service etc.? This paper gives an overview of this technology and how it can be used for effective library management.