Awareness and Use of OPAC/Web OPAC by University Lecturers of University of Kelaniya

Abstract

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.