Repositioning Libraries as Geospatial Knowledge Hubs: A Theoretical Exploration of the Contribution of Geographic Information Systems to Knowledge Management

The increasing convergence of digital transformation, geospatial technologies and knowledge management has created new opportunities for libraries to redefine their strategic roles within knowledge societies. Alt-hough Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have been widely applied in domains such as urban planning, environmental management and public health, their integration into library knowledge management (KM) remains conceptually fragmented and theoretically underdeveloped. This study addresses this gap by pro-posing an interdisciplinary conceptual framework that explains how GIS capabilities can enhance knowledge management processes and facilitate the transformation of libraries into geospatial knowledge hubs. The study adopts a conceptual research design based on an interdisciplinary synthesis of literature drawn from Geographic Information Science, Library and Information Science, Knowledge Management and Digital Transformation studies. Using thematic analysis and conceptual modelling, the study develops a theoretically grounded framework that integrates the Knowledge-Based View, the SECI model of knowledge creation and Digital Transformation Theory. The framework conceptualizes GIS capabilities as strategic organizational resources that enhance knowledge creation, organization, sharing and application through the mediating role of knowledge management capabilities and the moderating influence of organ-izational readiness, ICT infrastructure, staff GIS competency, leadership support and data governance. The principal contribution of the study is the introduction of geospatial knowledge hubs as a novel conceptual construct that repositions libraries from traditional information repositories to intelligent, data-driven or-ganizations supporting digital scholarship, spatial intelligence, interdisciplinary collaboration, evi-dence-based decision-making and community engagement. The framework provides eight theoretically grounded propositions that establish a foundation for future empirical investigation. The study contributes to geoinformation management and Library and Information Science by advancing a comprehensive theo-retical model that bridges previously disconnected domains. It also offers practical and policy guidance for GIS-enabled library transformation while identifying priorities for future empirical validation across di-verse library environments.