Library Collection in Textile Industry Libraries: Seethawaka Export Processing Zone.

Abstract

The collection is the most important resource in a library. The collections are varied and diversified with their contents. The collection in a library should be arranged in a system, which is very convenient to use for the readers and the library staff. If collections are updated and increased, it will be great support to provide valuable and relevant information services for their customers. The principal objective is to identify diversified collections in textile industry libraries. Other objectives are to examine present status in textile libraries and to explore the financial situation in these libraries. Survey research method used for the study. Population was all textile industry libraries in Sri Lanka. Sample was the fiveselected textile industry libraries in Seethawaka Export Processing Zone. They are JAY JAY MILLS, ORIT APPAREL, TEXTERED JURSEY, CONCORD APPAREL, HIDRAMANI MERCURY APPAREL. There are twelve export-processing zones in Sri Lanka and the Seethawaka is the third biggest zone. The study revealed that most of collection was fiction in all the five libraries. Most of the collections are available in JJM library. There are 2500 and fiction was 2114 from JJM. Collection of those libraries except the JJM library was not up to date and the annual budget allocation was not sufficient to develop the collection. When considered the readers requirements and demands the collection was not sufficient in all libraries. Majority of libraries are not following library qualities and standards. Thus, the study concluded that there was no good collection development and maintenance in those libraries. It is a dire need to expand library budget for purchasing adequate library materials. Scarcity of qualified and trained library staff is another issue so that the companies should pay more attention to recruit qualified staff. This will help for the provision of better library service with adequate library collections.