Librarians as Stewards of Indigenous Knowledge: A Meta-Synthesis of Roles, Challenges, and Strategies

Abstract

This study explores the role of librarians in managing indigenous knowledge through a comprehensive meta-synthesis review. Researchers searched the LISTA database and other relevant sources to identify studies on the subject and synthesized the findings to uncover key themes. Using the Delphi method, the team analyzed the selected literature and identified three core aspects of librarians' involvement: activities, characteristics, and skills. The analysis highlights librarians' essential roles in providing cultural awareness training, developing collections, preserving knowledge, understanding indigenous worldviews, and facilitating the dissemination of information. These findings offer practical guidance for librarians and policymakers seeking to design effective indigenous knowledge management strategies across diverse library settings. The review also addresses a critical research gap by examining the contributions of librarians in this evolving field.