Library and Information Science
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Item Strengthening the Culture of Learning Outcome Assessment in LIS Programs through Student Self- Assessments(ALISE, 2024) Dilinika, J.M.S.Self-assessment empowers students to take ownership of their learning by assessing strengths and weaknesses in each area of competence they expect to achieve. This poster will illustrate perspectives gathered from a comprehensive examination and literature review to explore how LIS programs employ self-assessments, empowering students to understand their learning and competencies. Additionally, it aims to determine what lessons LIS programs can learn from other disciplines when creating an effective platform for facilitating student self-assessment. The review revealed that LIS programs use self-assessment tools such as self-reflective essays and journals, often combined with other direct assessment methods. Other professional disciplines, such as Medicine and Engineering, employ technology-based personalized self-assessment tools, aiding students in self-assessing at different program milestones. However, literature and best practices emphasize that self-assessment should not be individualistic but should be collaborative, involving peers and instructors. In addition to self-assessment methods, the review highlighted the importance of metacognitive awareness to ensure the accuracy of self-assessments and help students become more mindful of their learning. Many professional programs support students by facilitating rubric-guided judgments, self-rating, self-efficacy inventories, and metacognitive awareness inventories. LIS programs can adopt best practices from other disciplines to enhance the effectiveness and accuracy of student self-assessment practices.Item Breaking the Loop, Finding the Balance: Predictors of Social Media Detox among Graduate Students(ALISE, 2024) Dilinika, J.M.S.; Huanga, Kuo-TingSocial media detox is recognized as an effective strategy for mitigating the negative impacts of excessive social media usage. This study explores the factors influencing graduate students’ decisions to engage in social media detox. Factors related to social media overload and general social media experience were examined as potential predictors. Data were collected using an online survey from 179 graduate students who are active on social media. The results of the study revealed a high prevalence of social media overload among graduate students, with information overload emerging as the strongest predictor of social media detox. This suggests that effectively managing the constant influx of information on social media platforms is crucial for reducing stress and promoting digital well-being among graduate students. The study provides practical implications and further research directions for promoting digital well-being and enhancing information management skills.Item Assessing the effectiveness of academic library services: A review on the formulation of a feasible conceptual framework(Information Development, 2023) Ajith, J.; Ramanayaka, K.; Weerasooriya, W. A.With the rapid development of internet technology and the gradually accelerating rate of information technology, library systems are progressively transforming into hybrid library systems that provide services from traditional and electronic means. For insightful planning toward a strong service to the community, there is a need to continuously evaluate the effectiveness of library services. Based on this requirement, the purpose of this study is to determine the criteria and their measuring indicators that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of modern academic library services by reviewing related studies found in the literature, and then build a conceptual framework. A comprehensive literature review related to library service effectiveness was conducted to identify, determine and suggest scientific evaluation criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of academic library services. The study revealed that User Satisfaction, Collection Development, Management and Staff Contributions, Service Efficiency, and Accessibility, were the top key evaluation criteria used or cited in the related works. Three or more indicator categories for each criterion have been identified, and the measurable indicators consisted of Likert-type questions on a five-point rating scale that can be used to measure indicator categories. Finally, the conceptual framework for assessing academic library service effectiveness has been developed based on these criteria and their measurement indicators. The study has presented a framework of service effectiveness, including assessment criteria and measurement indicators that can be used to evaluate modern hybrid academic libraries.Item Behavioral intention to use electronic resources by distance learners: An extension of the technology acceptance model(Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 2023) Marasinghe, I. K.; Weerasooriya, W. A.; Rathnabahu, N.This study aimed to discover the factors affecting behavioral intention to use electronic resources by distance learners of the Open University of Sri Lanka, and to develop a model explaining behavioral intention to use such resources. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the theoretical basis, this study explored the effect of five external factors on the behavioral intention of distance learners toward using e-resources. A quantitative research approach was used, and data were collected from a survey of 379 active undergraduates of the Open University of Sri Lanka. Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was conducted to obtain the results of the study. The results of PLS-SEM reveal that the distance mode of learning and relevance of information are the two major external factors that affect behavioral intention to use e-resources. Computer self-efficacy and user satisfaction also have a significant influence on the dependent variable. Social influence, on the other hand, shows no significant impact. Of the TAM constructs, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user attitudes significantly affect e-resource utilization behavior.Item Examining the relationship between competitive capability and perceived service quality in university libraries(https://jula.sljol.info/static/images/upress.png, 2021) Arachchige, J. J. G.; Singh, Diljit; Weerasooriya, W. A.As modern Information Technology has created a way to a variety of information service opportunities, many options other than the conventional library service are available for users. A stiff competition has emerged among information service providers and therefore university library professionals too have to think of their competitive advantage. Service quality has gained a high concern as a strategy for developing the competitive position of an organization and many studies in different fields have established a strong relationship between service quality and competitive advantage. Viewing inversely, some practitioners contemplate that the competitive position of resource capabilities can influence the improvement of service quality. In order to examine the relationship between competitive position and the service quality in a university library context, an exploratory survey was employed utilizing a VRIO based questionnaire and LibQUAL+ based instrument with 89 library professionals selected from 15 state university libraries in Sri Lanka. The study reveals that there is a moderate positive correlation between two variables (r = .286, n= 66, p = .020). As the relationship is moderate, further studies seem essential to support the hypothesis. The large percentage of residuals indicates that there are more factors contributing to the service quality in university libraries. This studyItem An exploratory overview on Library Professionals’ Training Series (LPTS) of library, University of Kelaniya.(Felicitation Volume - Mr. N.T.S.A. Senadeera. Manuscript submitted for publication. Library, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2020) Munasinghe, M.A.K.S.; Warnasooriya, ThrishalaComputer literacy is essential for library staff to provide a high quality, timely responsive, cost effective library services to its users in a techno-savvy library environment in this digital era. Specially computer literacy is a key requirement for non-academic staff to operate the library technical services. Most of the libraries across the world have taken actions to develop various staff development programmes. Those can be varied based on the type of the library and its users, capacity of the staff, attitude, technology, budget, mother institution, rules and regulations, and country. Therefore, developing a unique Computer literacy enhancement programme for a certain library is ideal. ‘Library Professionals’ Training Series (LPTS) containing 3 levels was developed by Interactive Media Unit (IMU) to enhance the computer literacy of the staff. As level I could be successfully completed, a progress of the staff was noticed. Therefore, this paper presents an exploratory overview on this programme by setting an example for other libraries in Sri Lanka.Item Designing and Introducing ‘GREEN’ model to lead Sri Lankan university library system towards green library concept: with special reference to the library, University of Kelaniya.(3rd International Research Symposium on Social Science and Humanities, National Center for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (NCAS), Sri Lanka., 2021) Warnasooriya, ThrishalaAs community centers and knowledge hubs, going green has become a great concern in every field including the libraries. Although some green implementations can be evident in some libraries in Sri Lanka, they are not been systematically functioned. This is an extension of previous researches related to green library concept which followed the research framework with five major areas namely, library building, operations and practices programmes and services, information systems and library collection. Those five areas wer~ covered by 23 indicators. Therefore, designing and introducing a green library model was a current necessity for Sri Lankan library system to regulate their green movements. On the other hand, primitive attention has been given on designing a green library model for universities in many countries including Sri Lanka. Therefore, the sole objective was to design and introduce a green library model for the library, university of Kelaniya which is known as the first state green university in Sri Lanka to go green. After identifying existing green features through self-observation, green implementations which are possible to be practiced in the library were identified and defined through the interviews had with sectional heads of the library. Accordingly, the model was named as 'GREEN' indicating green library practices. The indicators for respective letters depicting G- Gardening, R-Resource sharing, E-Efficiency, E-Environmental friendliness, N-Natural resources. Each factor includes related green implementations which can be practically functioned in the library at present condition. The followings could be identified as the conspicuous, existing green features at present. Indoor and outdoor gardening were concerned in category one. Resource sharing means resource sharing through digital platforms, minimizes physical visits, purchasing, sharing and promoting more e-resources. Efficiency stands for efficient use of office stationery, efficient use of machinery items and equipment, efficient use of telecommunication equipment or having verbal communication and use of cyberspace. Besides energy sources such as water, electricity should be effectively used and a water purifying system as well as a rainwater harvesting facility can be implemented. Under environmental friendliness, Waste management including reduction of plastic, polythene, papers and processes such as composting, recycling papers were highlighted. Natural resources criterium includes the maximum use of natural daylight, air, ventilation to enhance the interior quality and user convenience, local purchasing, energy saving practices, purchasing LCD monitors, LED bulbs etc. in addition to the existing indicators, new possible green implementations could be recommended to be practiced in the library. If this GREEN model was followed and practiced, the green concept can be systemically practiced in the library. As a result, the library can be nominated as a green library in near future.Item Significance of Infopreneureship in COVID 19 pandemic: an exploratory study in Sri Lankan perspective(NILIS Research Symposium 2020, National Institute of Library and Information Sciences (NILIS), Sri Lanka, 2021) Warnasooriya, ThrishalaThe term ‘infopreneurship’ derived as a combination of information + entrepreneurship is a profit-oriented; internet and client-based; yet unexplored concept in the Sri Lankan context. Therefore, the key objectives were to gain and spread an understanding on infopreneurship and to emphasize its significance in this pandemic situation. Basically, an analysis of literature and documents carried out to comprehend its origination, nature, key areas, functions and the strategic value. The significance of infopreneurship was validated based on a self-defined framework which consisted of its strategic value in economic, social, educational and business perspectives to address the limitations and barriers faced in this pandemic. The findings shows that the origination of the concept of infopreneurship dates back to 1984; is not a mere process limited to information retrieval and dissemination; being a profit-oriented approach, it contains a long, complex process with number of activities and functions to fulfill the client’s needs with a quality outcome; some major similarities in librarianship and infopreneurship were identified; several skills, qualities and practices are essential to become a vendor in this digital world; challenges and changes should have to be experienced. This approach can be initiated to address the rising issue of unemployment in this pandemic situation; simultaneously, as a profit generating strategy via online platforms which assures social distance and ‘work from home’ concept; skill development opportunity in webbased technology, managerial and business activities, research and publication sector; finally, the entire process leads to an informed society, knowledge society and digital society.Item Role and Importance of public libraries in sharing the cooperative activity of managing indigenous knowledge with special reference to Sri Lanka: A framework for the advancement(02nd International Conference for Academic Discipline, 16th – 20th March 2020, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2020) Piyarathana Thero, Rev. LegumdeniyeIndigenous Knowledge (lK) is the knowledge, experience derived and existed upon for the wellbeing of a parlicular community or culture, and its special characteristics are the sustainability, envirorutrental friendliness and the practical validity. Indigenous knowledge contained in palm leaf manuscripts, with aural traditions, practices, belief systems, printed and non-printed sources, folk norms and virlues. It is diverse in the areas of religion, indigenous medicine, myths, agriculture and farming, language and literatute, alt and crafts, rite and rituals. The principal objective of this paper is to study the role and importance of public libraries in sharing the cooperative activity of managing indigenous knowledge with special reference to Sri LallItem Conservation and Preservation challenges of Palm Leaf Manuscripts in the Natinal Library and Documentation Centre of Sri Lanka(02nd International Conference for Academic Discipline, 16th – 20th March 2020, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2020) Weerasinghe, M.K.The concept of the library goes back man began to make and keeP written to the origin of the lluman civilization' When records, library came into existence' .t After the renaissance and reformation in Europe, philosophy of the libraries underwent a change. The libraries wele considered as store houses of knowledge from ancient time to middle ages. A{ter the invention of printing and the dissemination of liberal thoughts, consequently the library became a dissemination centre of human knowledge. The concept of the National Library(Nl) atso emerged against this background. The origin of the NL concept goes back to ancient libraries of the world' According to some librarians and historians, the library of Alexandria was a NL. It performed some functions, which the present NLs are carrying out' However there is no agreement about the origin of the NL concePt' Sri Lanka is an Island situated in the Indian Ocean and is situated about 645 km north of the equator and is separated from india by the Gul{ of Mannar as well as the Palk strait. The total lanc1 area of the country is about 65610 square kilometers' The population of the country is about 20 miilion. The rnajority of Sri Lankans are the Si*halese and other cornmunities are Taurils, Muslims and Burghers. Literacy rate of the countr y is 94%.It is a multilingual and a rnulti cultural country' The main religion of the country is Buddhism.