A Study on the Use of Contents in the IFLA Manifesto on Public Libraries, Based on Public Libraries in Colombo, Kurunagala and Gampaha Districts

Abstract

The principal objective of this paper is to investigate the quality and status of public library services in Sri Lanka in line with IFLA Public library manifesto. The study problem was how far the IFLA Public library manifesto is utilized by the public libraries in Sri Lanka. The other objectives are to identify the services provided by public libraries, to study the existing progress of public library services and to identify the obstacle faced by the public library in providing their services. Population was the total number of Librarians including user community in the public libraries in Colombo, Kurunagala and Gampahadestricts. Sample was 30 public librarians, 30 library users selecting from three districts using non-probability sampling techniques. Primary data collected using a questionnaires followed by an interview. Main findings were that 12 elements stated in the IFLA Public library manifesto are not used adequately by the public librarians and users were unsatisfied with the provisions of library services. Suggestions are to expand the user education programs for making full awareness on the library services provided by public libraries, to improve ICT and internet facilities and make reading promotion and to make a good relationship between the user community with library staff.