2nd ICLIM - 2017

Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/18039

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Advocacy Programs and Activities Conducted by Public Libraries Attached to Municipal Councils of Sri Lanka: Some Public Libraries Selected from the Western Province.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Jayasekara, D.W.
Library is the most important place that everyone goes to get information for his or her various needs. Today the technology has vastly changed the way most of the people in accessing the information. Technology has greatly enhanced library and information services, but it has also raised some unsettling questions, issues. Libraries have been challenged for their firm existence and maintenance. In this background, “Advocacy” is the most useful element and the concept for libraries. Simply, library advocacy means “Appearing for the libraries” or talking on behalf of the libraries and their very existence. The persons who appearing for the libraries are called as “Library Advocates”. The Librarians and library staff, library trustees, friends of libraries, library users, institutional and community leaders, library and information science students, potential advocates can identify as library advocates. The democracy needs libraries. Moreover, libraries need advocates. The main objects of library advocacy are certifying libraries protection and the provision a good library service. Therefore, the main activities under the library advocacy are public relations and library marketing. Library advocates support libraries, organize various library advocacy activities and programs as seminars, lectures, exhibitions, cultural programs, book fair etc. and this task is vested with the librarians and library staff. This study explores about the library advocacy activities and programs conducted by public libraries in Sri Lanka. The research studied through five main public libraries operating under municipal councils in Western province. Method of study is the survey research. Questionnaires, interviews and observation methods were used for the survey. Information was gathered mainly from librarians and users through two different questionnaires. This research information were presented about, what is the library advocacy, why is it needed, who are library advocates, what are the advocacy programs conducted by public libraries in Sri Lanka, who participate and support for them, what is the service to the society by this programs and new tendencies, problems, challenges of these programs. Accordingly, presented conclusions and suggestions for the development of library advocacy activities and programs. It was found that lot of library users are not aware what is library advocacy. Moreover, public libraries were conducting various advocacy programs, but most of them introduced those programs as extension services. “Library Advocacy” was an uncommon word for most of libraries and library users in Sri Lanka. It must be changed. This research was done for directing to that change.
An Analysis of Data and Information Management Techniques in a Higher Education Institute: With Special Reference to University of Bolton (UoB) – Academic Centre Sri Lanka (ACSL).
(Department of Library and Information Science,Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Amarakoon, L.R.
This paper is an analysis of the current situation at University of Bolton (UoB) Academic Centre Sri Lanka (ACSL) with regard to its data and information management techniques. Proposed new techniques, and show how best they can address the issues/problems identified in the said analysis and assess the benefits of implementing those new techniques at ACSL. No enterprise can be effective without high quality data. Today's organizations rely on their data assets to make more informed and more effective decisions. Let us now make an analysis to see how best ACSL has considered data and information which is recognized as a vital enterprise asset in the Information Age. As a leading foreign university operating in Sri Lanka, the ACSL’s “Data and Information Management System” should facilitate Campus transformation aimed at improving the quality of education by leveraging the benefits of the system in learning, administration and collaboration in the Campus. A typical scenario exists at ACSL; almost all the master data lists are maintained manually and available as hard copies in files. On the other hand, proper information governance is lacking in ACSL. That means the application of formal and informal control to ensure information is managed in accordance with the ACSL’s legal and operational requirements. Yet another aspect of this is more than policies and procedures, governance is a culture of accountability to which ACSL’s employees at all level must be committed. If that is lacking best technology available at ACSL and the well-considered guidelines will mean little, and operational standardization and compliance both will go out of the window of ACSL. Preceding discussion on Data and Information Management Techniques at ACSL has found several issues. All stake holders find it difficult to take timely decisions as and when the Campus authorities needed to take immediate actions for the smooth functioning of the Academic programs. Many delays and dissatisfaction on the part of customer (students) frequently occur. This situation certainly affects the academic program of the ACSL. The present student are the de facto “Reference Markets” for future students to be attracted to ACSL’s products (various undergraduate and postgraduate programs offer at WCMT). If they face difficult situations at ACSL they will sure not act as reference markets for our future programs. It is also observed that necessary policies such as “Policy related to E-mail Management” is lacking at ACSL.ICLIM – 2017, University of Kelaniya 3 Although ACSL maintains a Webpage which acts as a web Portal where part of the master data are also can be access by its customers (Higher Education Students) and staff according to an evaluation done by the author using “Google Analytic” tool hardly any target audience have view the website at all. Master Data Management System coupled with an e-mail management system and text analytics which facilitate incorporating Business Intelligence (BI) capabilities in the identified problematic and other areas of the data and information management systems at ACSL. Implementing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques is also crucial in the data management at ACSL.
Analytical Study on Public Awareness and the Practice of Right to Information Act, No. 12 of 2016.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Wickramaarachchi, A.E.
Right to information is a fundamental principle which evolved with the concept which denotes that the ownership of the state lies with its peoples. This concept is legally accepted among most of the democratic countries all over the world, such as our nearest neighbor, India. By admitting and facilitating thefree access to the information of which the functions of the state are accomplished using public funds, in order to effectively safeguard people’s right to information, parliament of Sri Lanka has passed “Right to information Act”, No. 12 of 2016. This act permits any citizen of Sri Lanka to request information from a public authority (A body of Government), which is required to reply expeditiously. Sri Lanka as a country of democracy, this act comes to effect to establish citizens’ active participation in governance and accountability in government to the people of the country. For the fulfilment of these purposes and to achieve the goals of democracy, it’s essential that people of Sri Lanka has the knowledge of the power which is vested in them concerning the right they enjoy under this act. Moreover, it’s essential to have a knowledge and social awareness on this matter to empower and practice that right. Discussing on this on this matter, Transparency International Sri Lanka has stated that the people of Sri Lanka remain largely uninformed of the right they enjoy and how it may be used. Therefore, making assumptions on this account, it is needed to investigate public awareness of this act and its current utilization, likewise, current phase it took subsequentto the socialization. The research aims on these primary goals. Secondarily, this research will reveal the barriers between this act and its practice. As a representative of public (population), it is intended to select a sample of 100 sample units in district basis considering on the profession there are in, to collect information on this matter. Similarly, it is expected to prepare a questionnaire for selected five government institutions, which is, used this and an interview will be conducted for getting data. Finally, steps are taken for planning to evaluate these results considering the practical application of this act depends on public awareness and participation for its enforcement.
Automation of Records and Tapes Collections of the Library Attached to Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) De Silva, H.S.A.
Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) is the first Asiatic broadcasting entity established under British administration and the recording commenced in 1936. There are more than 25000 records and tapes in the library. There are five records and tapes libraries in the SLBC. Different physical forms like records, tapes, CDs, Dat and MD are available and they contain programs conducted, songs, music, advertisements, news, and notices and so on. The purpose of this paper is to examine the process of automation of records and tapes collections available in the library attached to SLBC and other objective is to explore the issues facing when digitization the collections. Automation means the activity or process done to achieve good results with the help of equipment, machines, tools and techniques specially computers and computer applications When automating the library attached to SLBC, the process should be started from automating the collections like records, tapes with their content and data with a mechanism of combining the metadata with the sounds of these. Later these sounds should be incorporated to the digital technology. Automation of the SLBC library began in 2009. Most important and valuable sounds belong to old songs, rare songs, songs and other programs that are prone to decay and ruination are being digitized at present. It is in the scrutinization process and study that digitization has to be fully operated with the help of a compatible library management software. How to make an access system for the users purpose for this digitized collections with the Metadata belong to records and tapes and how a classification system used whether the AACR 2 or RDA system is used in the anticipated database are some of the complications the library facing at this stage. Developing and keeping up proper authority file management, selection of the different fields needed for the above database and providing user accesses for information retrieval are issues to be addressed very scientifically for enabling and providing quality service. Whole digitization proses is a team work which us to be done very carefully. Everybody involving this activity is delivering very concomitant job. Due to this dynamic transformation cost effect, audience friendly, easy maintenance, less labor driven effective and efficient environment seen in the SLBC library premises. With these developments, SLBC library has achieved a success in digitizing very important treasures for preserving, conserving, effective organization and delivery of sound to the audience.
Books from Birth as a Language Learning Tool in the Multilingual Background of SriLanka.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Vithana, D.P.C.
Language is considered as a vehicle of Intangible Cultural Heritage. With the extinction of a language the major portion of the Intangible Cultural Heritage also cease to exist. For preservation of language and culture it should pass down to the next generations. Early childhood Native language immersion is recognized as a precursor to developing minds. The Language rich early childhood environments helps to reach peak proficiency and control over the grammatical structure and sounds. Numerous research suggests books as an efficient language learning tool which supports parents and teachers for children’s language learning process. In this research, thirty books available from birth to three years in Sri Lanka were investigated. The written language, content appropriateness to the culture, format appropriateness to the child, designated age group was observed. Interviews were conducted with parents to obtain further insight to the ways books are used for children. The findings suggest that all most all the books specifically designed to use from birth in the tested cohort are in English. Even though the picture books are used by Sri Lankan parents to teach native language and other languages, the content are not specifically signify the culture. It is to be conclude that the early childhood focused culture and language bound book publications are lacking in Sri Lanka.The study suggests encouraging native language and multilingualculture specific book publications focusing children from birth.
The Collision of E- Resources in Modern Libraries.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Sewwandi, H.K.I.
The 21stcentury is madethe information services available to the users on their desktop. In the day perspective, all types of libraries such as academic, public and special libraries are not onlyproviding printed resources to their user group. They provide electronic resources that are e-books, e-database, e-journals, e-reports as well as e-reference sources for fulfilling their day to day academic and research requirements. A digital library is a type of information retrieval system. Digital libraries are a natural evolution from electronic document sharing. The major benefit of digital library is the capability to provide around the clock, remote access to high demand or restricted materials for multiple concurrent users. The objectives of the study to investigate the awareness of use e-resources, to examine the available e-resources, to identify the frequency of used e-resources, to find out the problems face in use these resources. The 100 questionnaires were distributed randomly among the users in selected 14 educational institutions in Sri Lanka.This study disclosed that most of responders are using e-resources daily and they satisfied those materials,e-journal were use a majority of users, low budget and lack of collaboration with other libraries these are reveals of problem in use e resources.
Colombo Museum Library Palm Leaf Manuscripts Collection: A Glance from Intangible Cultural Heritage and Library and Information Management Perspectives.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Senarathna, K.I.D.; Heshini, K.G.J.; Weerasooriya, W.R.W.M.C.S.K.; Senani, R.A.
Palm leaf manuscripts are very rare and treasure library material, which contain vivid knowledge, art and culture in the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) particularly in Sri Lanka. This paper focuses the Colombo Museum library Palm Leaf Manuscripts Collection (PLMC). The principal purpose of the study is to examine the Palm leaf manuscript collection in Intangible Cultural Heritage and Library and Information Management Perspectives. The other objectives are to explore how the collection is organized, to examine how they preserve, conserve their collection and to identify the way they provide user services using this important collection. Method of the study is an explorative survey of the Palm leaf collection and the data collected through site visit, discussion followed by the observation both participatory and non-participatory. It was realized that very significant and diversified imbedded knowledge contained in the PLMC. The knowledge variations are particularly the religion and the art, craft, tradition, culture, science, medicine, agriculture, myths and mythologies. The collection is related to indigenous knowledge too. The collection is arranged separately and when analyzing in ICH perspective it can conclude that, there are entities that were found to be related ICH domain. When peruse the collection in Library and Information Science perspective, it was revealed that preservation and conservation is a prime requirement and therefore digitization has to be done with a help of an organization like National Science Foundation. Some entities are available in printed book forms too. User serves provided on request basis and they are able to use at the Museum library premises. The vision of the library “ As an illustrious nation, the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage Inherited from the past, and its presentation in a more fruitful fashion for future Generations in a manner that successfully addresses the challenges of globalization” and therefore the policy makers, planners and the top management including the Ministry concerned should realize the importance of this collection and take immediate steps for policy decisions for preservation and conservation of the collection. The time has come to stress and pay much attention to the area of ICH and how libraries could be used in managing these important collections for the use of future generations.
Communicative Perspective of New Words in Modern Urban Sinhala Language.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Prabha, K.; Jesudasan, A.M.; Jinadasa, M.P.
Language is the fundamental aspect of human communication. Despite Sinhala language has been originally rooted by the Sanskrit language as many other languages as German, Catholic, Benito, Slavic, modern Sinhala language has been recently cultivated by the multiplying of new words and expressions that can be widely utilized by the urban societies in Sri Lanka. However, this present study surveys the newly utilized urban slangs and colloquial expressions in the Sinhala vernacular. This study conducts using qualitative research methodology, including focused groups, participatory observations and textual analyses. Data were judgmentally selected by the sample of two field surveys of GramaNiladhari Divisions (GNDs), East uppiyawaththa, No.52, Ketawalamulla place, Dematagoda (01) and Dematagoda, No.36, Sri Wijayaramaya, Seelarathna lane, aramaya road, Dematagoda (02), from august 2015 uptojuly 2016. Assuming that Sinhala language is substantially nurtured by the urban use of words and slangs, based on this research survey, this study concludes, that, both two GNDs use significantly similar words in their colloquial verbal communication. These use of words represent the diversity of their identities, who live in the same places of urban. Their use of language is also differentiated by their respective social events. Further, there are number of English words, in addition to their traditional words of folk-lore. Interestingly lots of worlds are significantly shorten in comparison to their other words in use. Moreover, it is difficult to find a logical co-relation in the respective words and their meaning. Patta, Toiya, Kella, aaathal, Bassalayanawa, Halalayanawa, adala ne, Henagahapan are some of the urban slangs used to denote their social class, position of work, prestige and elite. Finally, this study made a new classification of word groups in to ten (10) divisions based on different purposes of their use of language. Pitch, velocity, tone and rhythm in pronunciation of their use of these new words and expressions are significantly differentiated by religious, cultural and social diversity.
The Comparative study on the Children Library Service in Public Libraries in Sri Lanka:Libraries Selected from Gampaha District.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Sanjeewani, M.D.S.M.; Sandamali, A.W.M.
When Creating Citizens to the Society with Intellectuals and with more disciplined, the Public Library would contribute much for this task. The main duty that contributes by a library are collecting Knowledge, Organizing, depositing and giving facilities to the reader to obtain the necessary knowledge for usage. The public library is the only institution, which gives services without any charge from the public, and it does not consider the intellects, ignorant, race, creed, religion and the age. The public library supplies service on behalf of the children and adults. The aim of this study is to focus the activities of the children libraries attached to public libraries in the municipals, urban councils and Divisional Secretaries in the Gampaha district. The issues faced with the public libraries when giving efficient and more fruitful service to the children is the research problem. According to the problems identified, there a search has been done by this study to identify at what is level of the continuance and the activities of the service of the children library services attached to public libraries. In order to collect data, questionnaires, interviews, discussions, investigations etc. have been used. When identifying the issues and problems those affected to the development of the children’s library service in the Gampaha district, many reasons have been forwarded to follow the procedure to improving the conditions of the children affiliated library service in the Gampaha district. Main problem was the non-receipt of the infrastructure facilities as needed. It was also further disclosed that the infrastructure facilities that is given to the public libraries must be improved. It was revealed by this study that at what level is the service of the children libraries in the Gampaha district are. Accordingly the termination is noted with how the problems affected for the children libraries and the suitable ideas and proposals to solve those problems.
A Comparative Study on the Provincial Library Services Boards in Sri Lanka.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Bandara, D.K.G.R.S.
Provincial library development project has started in 1990 in order to decentralize the library system and services. Through, it has passed about 30 years after the beginning of the provincial library development project, there are only few actively existing provincial library services boards such as Uwa, Central, North Central and Sabaragamuwa. In fact, this study deals with the comparative study on provincial library services boards in Sri Lanka. The objectives of this paper are to study the existing activity and the situation of provincial library services boards and to identify the different programs and services among them, to investigate the contribution of the decentralization library service to the development process of the country and to identify the issues in the of provincial library services boards. The study is based on the assumption that effective of provincial library services boards are not functioning in a proper manner. This study is conducted both qualitative and quantitative data to be collected from primary and secondary sources. When collecting primary data, interviews, questionnaires are will be used. Prediction, comparison, relationship, critical analysis, illustrations and the SPSS data analyzing software will be used in data analysis. As the population, the effective provincial library service boards like Uwa, Central, North Central and Sabaragamuwa will be taken. 100 selected public and school libraries representing these four provinces will be used as the sample. 60% among these are public libraries while the rest 40% is school libraries. It is important to study about the provincial library development project as it is a recently started project in library field.
Conservation and Preservation of Information Resources in Libraries: New Challenges.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Dilrukshi, U.T.L.; Dayananda, A.P.M.M.D.B.
This paper discusses the importance and need of conservation and preservation of information resources in libraries, factors that affect degradation and deterioration of library materials and methods of tackling them. Libraries particularly, it examined the overview of preservation and conservation of library resources. It also studied the causes of deterioration of library information resources, among which are: natural aging process, level of use of library materials, inherent chemical content used in the process of paper making, high temperature and fluctuating relative humidity, improper handling of library materials among many others were equally discussed. Various preventive measures were equally discussed. Different challenges facing preservation and conservation of library resources in Sri Lankan Libraries were presented. Useful suggestions were also made to ameliorate the situation.
The Contribution of Different Sections in the University in Fulfilling the Information Needs of University Students: A Study based on Kelaniya University.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Jayasekera, J.M.A.K.
A university is a unique organization in the higher education that is comprised of different sections, teaching departments, faculties, libraries, ICT centers, administrative and student’s service unites health centers. Many of such organizational units are providing very vital information for the students. The principal purpose of the study is to investigate how these different sections and units fulfil the diversified information needs of the students. Survey research was the method of study and total 100 students were randomly selected from four Faculties, like Science, Commence and Management. Humanities and the Social Sciences. Thirteen sections were used and the primary data collected administering two questionnaires among the students and staff of 13 sections with the help of interviews and observation techniques. Data analysis was done using Excel. Institutional related information was the key information type and majority used the library and the ICT center for information. Notice Board is another medium however, students more preferred to use university web for information seeking. However, it was identified 50% satisfied with the information provision of different sections of the university. Use modern ICT by different sections was very weaker and students had poor knowledge about the information provision of different sections. Staff in different sections were not so cooperative in the information provision and students expressed the distance between and among one barrier for them. Suggestions are to improve the information collection, organization and the dissemination using modern ICT and to establish a large ICT center in the middle of the University with all facilities and services, and databases containing information needed for the students. Networking different sections and taking steps for improving the computer and information literacy of both students and sections staff are other recommendations. Use of more notice board with modern ICT with attractive news items and pictures is better for the purpose. Increase the use of University web for student related information provision is another method so that students will compel use the web for other different purposes out of it.
A Critical Analysis on the Research Perspectives Embedded in Buddhist Theory and Philosophy.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Upali Rev, Demunnewe.
All atheistic religions both east and west trust upon that the god is paramount important. The God is the creator, conveyor and the destroyer of the world endorsing all that the God can do anything and everything. Buddhism going away from that direction made the world to believe based on truth by emanating a new philosophy. Almighty conceptions and beliefs propounded by the ancient Indian Brahmins and their self-interested hegemony was totally challenged and diffused by the Buddhist philosophy. The intension of this paper is to make a critical study on the research perspectives embedded in Buddhist theory and philosophy like critical thinking, analysis, evaluation, referencing, review which were later devised by the modern research methodology.The above dogmatic almighty hegemonic thoughts and way of behavior were critically disproved and rejected by the Lord Buddha by introducing independent thinking and expressed self-thinking over self-interested belief. The Buddha showed that even achievement of enlightment is based on research perspectives like discourse, self-thought, evaluation, critical analysis, discussion, survey, review and so on. The Sangharava Sutra in Majjima Nikaya clearly connotes this. By the birth and Bosath period, un to enlightenment and later periods the Buddha has followed these perspectives and Sutra pronouncement like “King Sachcha Gaveshi” validates this fact. “Sarvannga” was presaged to him because the Buddha himself realized all by following the Dharma. This factor and attaining nibbana both are self-observing phenomena, which could be seen in modern research methodology. Ariya pariyeshana sutra of Majjima Nikaya very clearly denotes this fact. Observation, investigation, conclusion, arriving at inferences are some other points signified by the Buddhist philosophy, which stand for modern research methodology. These conceptions have been in Buddhism and source like Chullahasthipadopama sutra proves it. Kalama sutra emphasizes free and un-bias thoughts, open thinking and someone can critically review, point out facts even when the Buddhism is observed in occultist standpoints. Questioning, querying, inquiring, and holding critic standpoints are preached in Buddhist theory. Even some one attains a truth or come to very genuine standpoint he or she cannot practice it in his or her own and to activate it he or she should follow and observe three authoritative elements like Attadhipatheyya, Dhammadipatheyya and Lokadipatheyya. These all facts strongly authorize that all research perspectives discussed in this paper have been verified by Buddhist philosophy 2500 years before. There are lot of confusions and intricacies in modern research methodology which Buddhist philosophy is free from that. All these facts direct that literature review is an essential phenomenon in research or having conclusions, inferences and genuine solutions for research problems. Buddhism also verifies that critical pre-evaluation, pre-research, investigation are essential in approaching to the truth.
Cultural Readings Represented in Novels: A Special Investigation Based on the Novel “A Man of the People” Written by Chinua Achebe.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Madhusanka, N.M.A.N.
The language is also a greater part of the culture when compared to other cultural matters such as foods, clothing & feelings which are being used with the origin of mankind. The things related to different society levels are also distributed by the culture. The culture is a relative factor which controls the man to some extent. The art related to different societies is also revealed by the culture. Drama, dancing, music, art, sculpture as well as literature are subjective parts of the culture. Chinua Achebe was a great novelist in Nigerian literature. Not only in Nigerian literature, a great novelist in African literature also. He was a novelist, short story writer as well as a poet. The corruption & the collusion of politicians were clearly shown in the novel “A man of the people.” The great service done by Chinua Achebe to the Nigerian literation has made a new ideology among people. The main objective of this investigation is to identify the cultural matters reflects in the novel “A man of the people” written by Chinua Achebe which is related to the African culture. Content analysis & three interviews were used as the methodology. This novel is a political satire which pictured both political culture and the African culture in the society. The hollow image of politicians & the satire related to those characters were shown together in this novel. It is clearly identified that the matters such as religion, culture, women & politics can be reflects through literature. Therefore, it is a responsibility of novelists to reform the reality of an existing society through their novels.
A Design of Disaster Management Plan for Safeguarding the National Knowledge Centers in Sri Lanka.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Gajanayaka, G.M.N.S.
Human beings encountered natural disasters from the very first beginning. In the past, many natural disasters were the outcomes of natural incidents and however in the present natural disasters are increased in the number with the impact of human intervention coupled with the technological advancements. The history of library science has reported on incidents where intelligent properties were destroyed by natural disasters. In order to overcome such incidents library scientists and authors of the natural disaster management are presently working together. Conversely, the disaster management preparedness in Sri Lanka with regard to library sector is not at a satisfactory level. Among the leading government knowledge resource centers in Sri Lanka, the National Library of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka National Museum and the Sri Lanka National Archive were chosen as the study sample. The study will focus on the disasters that can have an impact on the collection, staff and physical properties of the selected institutions. In addition, the study will examine the currently available methods and means of disaster management. The aim of the study is to identify the issues related to disaster management and suggest possible solutions. The primary data will be collected through field observations and interviews of the officers in the disaster management sector as well as concerned national knowledge resource centers. Study will stress on the methods of disaster prevention, preservation and responding to the natural disasters. If the selected institutions do not have proper disaster management plans and programs, the study expects to introduce some of the key points related to disaster management planning and attempt will be made to explore any possibility of design and development of the appropriate components of a proper disaster management plan for these national knowledge centers of Sri Lanka.
Developing Reading Habits and Literacy Attitude of Women Readers: A Special Reference at Navarasam College of Arts and Science College for Women.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Natarajan, N.O.; Subha, S.
The study aims at investigating the women students reading habits and literacy attitude of Navarasam College of arts and Science College for Women, Erode, TamilnaduReading habit is an essential life skill to be impacted by an academic library to its users customers like students and the staff. It will increase knowledge, build maturity and character, sharpen thinking, and widen awareness in social, economic, political, and environmental issues. It will increase usage. It will have positive effects in life and also increases the creativity. This paper also discusses different activities of library of at Navarasam College of arts and Science College for Womenwhich help the students improve in their reading skills. Library orientation talk, reader’s club, book and journal review, project and creative work, reading and reflection, book fair, newspaper reading and quiz, inter library membership and competition, best user award etc help to develop the reading skill of the students.The above activities have increased the reading skill in students and increased the users of the library. 120 students regularly visit the library. It also aims to identify the respondents' preferred time, language and time spent on reading .The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The results obtained revealed that 52.01% women read the books to develop life. 77% of the respondents preferred text books to read and 41% opined that subject is deciding factor to read a book. Majority of the respondents (82.15%) preferred to read English medium books. The study also reported that 65% of the respondents using internet to read online information, news, e -books, magazines and journals.
Digital Library Initiative at Library of Navarasam Arts and Science College for Women.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka., 2017) Subha, S.; Magudeeswaran, T.; Velayutham, Sri. A.
Digital Library Initiative paves the way to get required information to the users. The importance, advantage of a Digital Library over the traditional library were emphasized. The Digital Library Initiatives are redesigning the services and information products to add a value to the Library services and satisfy the changing need for the user community. In this study an effort taken to create a Digital Library Initiatives at Library of Navarasam Arts and Science College for Women.
E-Commerce Organization’s Information System Necessities.
(Department of Library and Information Science,Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Bandara, T.A.C.J.S.; Pathiratne, S.
The digital era offers incipient ways of doing business. The prosperity of these innovative approaches consists in obtaining the needed information more expeditious than ever, executing transactions in authentic time and perpetually refining methods and procedures. So far, enterprises are simply start to grasp the advantages of the business electronic systems. At the moment, author availed at a great society transformation, from a paper-predicated to an electronic-predicated modus operandi.E-commerce organizations (EO), Virtual Enterprises (VE) or web-enterprises (WE) are withal global scale enterprises, acting on planetary level by utilizing ICT. In fact, these are enterprises “based on information”, on erudition; they are built on advanced cutting edge information handling technologies., Administration structure is simplerIn these enterprises, with fewer bureaucracy and, in conclusion, more malleable. Information has a multiplier role, triggering all economic subdivisions. It avails the enterprise optimization, raising the productivity, while depressing costs.The incrementing involution of daily quandaries, together with the circumscribed time for solving them, pose the incipient stresses on software designers’, who claim additional and more CASE utensils, in dissimilar phases of the information system project. Underneath these conditions, the developing medium engenderers connect modeling instruments (CASE), and instrument engenderers are in favor of tighter linking of instruments for developing mediums.The setting-up and upkeep of e-commerce activities, which require maximum security conditions for all transactions, as well as other commercial functions such as apprising users or promoting products with maxim effectiveness, under the compression of authentic- time transactions, are all information system designer tasks.The cull of one of the numerous solutions at hand is tenacious, to a great extent, by the performance criteria and business orchestrating of each corporation, by predictable outcomes of the commercial activity. Other prosperity factors are represented by the experience, professional training, and innovative spirit, and ingeniousness, power of acclimating and capacity of utilizing the already existent resolution capabilities, of the design squad.This study will present some germane aspects of the E-commerce organizations information system requisites, CASE modeling techniques and of the VE internal and external relationships
Electronic Information Resources and Academic Library Users.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Gaikwad, M.N.
Information is generating from the every corner of the world and its explosion rate is very high and ever growing. It is difficult to retrieve particular information without wasting time, but today the information technology has changed the complexion of the academic libraries in a big way. On a side academic libraries were suffer three challenges- shrinking budgets, shortage of space and increasing cost of publications; on other side there are the challenges posed by the advances in the field of Information and Communication Technology. With the last few decades scenario has changed. The remarkable growth of e-publishing and access of the information in local, regional, national and international basis has solved the problem of time and space. E-resources have become bubbling boon for library professionals as well as library users in this Google era. The e-resources are available in multi-variety forms. The study examine the different types of e-information resources, access and use of subscribed UGC N-LIST and freely available e-resources by the faculty members, Ph.D scholars and UG Students of the Arts and Commerce College, Madha(Maharashtra) India. A structured questionnaire was distributed among faculty members, Ph.D scholars and UG students. The study confirmed that the all Ph.D Scholars are aware of various types of e-resources. Study evaluates the satisfaction level of the users on e-resources and the role of Internet in access of e-resources through different search engines (e.g. Google, Yahoo, etc.) and also offline databases in CD/DVD formats, Study also aims to highlight the problems encountered by the users and suggest some remedial measures for its improvements.
Emerging Knowledge Management Competencies of LIS Professionals.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Chandani, J.G.
In the age of the globalization and increased worldwide competition, many organizations and professions are looking for new ways to gain competitive advantage. Knowledge management (KM) is a relatively major topic for this concept and Librarianship is one of the professions not only vying for a position of prominence in KM, but also whose track record in the field is widely acknowledged. According to working definition of International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA), KM is “a process of creating (generating, capturing), storing (preserving, organizing, integrating), sharing (communicating), applying (implementing), and reusing (transforming) organizational knowledge to enable an organization to achieve its goals andobjectives”. Further, IFLA clarifies that the term knowledge is not limited to published information; it also covers tacit knowledge (expertise), implicit knowledge, explicit knowledge, and procedural knowledge. This study aims to identify, collect and critically review the research literature on the concepts of knowledge management (KM) competencies among Library & Information Science (LI S) professionals. KM differs significantly from the theory and practice of librarianship, information management, and information resource management. It requires a new set of skills among LIS professionals if they wished to have any effective role in this domain. This will require not only enhanced self-knowledge, but also an understanding of how LIS skills can be applied in a new and often commercial context. Reviewing the literature among the various characteristics identified, five clear categories have emerged. These are: professional skills for a commercial context, communication skills, management skills, team-working skills and IT skills. To leverage these LIS skills to best effect, library and information professionals will need to acquire other skills. The success of libraries as organizations is determined by the actions of the individuals who work in those libraries, the success of those individuals in carrying out the missions of those libraries is in large measure a reflection of the type and quality of leadership. Successful library leaders demonstrate certain skills that are instrumental in the delivery of desired outcomes. Knowledge management is a major one of that and KM offers potential benefits for the development of libraries. However, the success of KM initiatives requires additional skills and competencies among LIS professionals which they are lacking. They must gain organizational political understanding, understanding of business practices and leadership skills for their involvement in KM.