Symposia & Conferences
Permanent URI for this communityhttp://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/10211
Browse
2 results
Search Results
Item Awareness and Use of Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC)/Web OPAC by University Students of University of Kelaniya(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Wimalawansha, B.G.U.N.; Jayawardana, M.C.N.; Sewwandi, H.K.I.The Introduction of Information and Communication Technology in the field of Libraries and Information Centers has impacted on library services and library techniques such as retrieval and dissemination of information resources. It has also changed the ways of providing library services to user community. OPAC is one of the technologies which easy provide access to bibliographical information such as name of author, title, publisher, date of the publication. Although OPAC is identified as a easy and effective way to search information in the library, many users have not got relevant knowledge and skills to use OPAC. This study fulfill this gap. Main objective of this study is to identify what are the problems faced by University students when they use OPAC/Web OPAC. Moreover, this study also aim to understand knowledge and skills that required to use OPAC effectively. This study used a survey method as a research method. The population of this study consists of University students in Sri Lanka. The sample of this study represents students in the University of Kelaniya. This study used a quantitative data collection techniques. Questionnaires were distributed among the selected students in the University and 90% were responded. Descriptive statistics method (SPSS software) was used for data analysis of this study. This study found that number (69.1%) of students used OPAC as a search tool for retrieving documents. Although they knew OPAC as a computer catalogue, they do not have wide awareness about OPAC. Many students do not use all features provided by OPAC such as advance search, reserve books, search from ISBN number. Also they do not know how to search bibliographical records. Even though, the University library has provided OPAC facilities, there were some limitations i.e. not allow to copy, print and edit bibliographical data, absences of regular updating on OPAC system, unable to search terms using Sinhala and Tamil languages and longer time for connecting to OPAC. Due to these limitations students were not satisfied with OPAC services provided by the University library. Findings of this study highly useful for University library staff to provide effective OPAC facilities and thereby improve academics knowledge and skills to use OPAC effectively. For example library staff can organize qualitative instructional programs, can provide practical training on advanced searching methods and promote OPAC among University students.Item Awareness and Use of OPAC/Web OPAC by University Lecturers of University of Kelaniya(Research Centre for Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Wimalawansha, B.G.U.N.The introduction of ICT in the field of Libraries & Information Centers has brought a change in the all library techniques such as retrieval & dissemination of information resources. It has also changed the ways of providing services offered to user’s community. Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) is one of these technologies provide access to any of the information contained in the record for an item in the library. It may define as a database of bibliographic records describing the holdings of a library. Although OPAC is easy & effective search tool, traditional search tools are used by many users for their information needs. It is a problem. The main objective of this study is to identify what problems are faced by University lecturers in using OPAC/Web OPAC. Other objectives of this study are to identify purpose of OPAC and to identify solutions for their problems. The study is based on a survey. The sample of the study is selected from lecturers in the University of Kelaniya. This study used Questionnaires and Descriptive statistics method (SPSS software) used for data analysis. Recording to survey result use of OPAC by University lecturers as a percentage was 11%. Data show that law percentage of respondents are using the OPAC as a search tool for retrieving documents. Although they know OPAC as a computer catalogue, they don’t have wide awareness about OPAC. Many lecturers don’t use all features provided by OPAC and they don’t know how to search bibliographic records. The satisfaction level of users was law level with the OPAC facilities provided by University library staff. Based on the findings, University library staff try to make its users wide awareness and effective use of library OPAC. Such as organizing qualitative instruction program, giving practical training about searching methods & Promoting OPAC among University lecturers.