A New Model for the Library Science Education and Research in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Introduction Library education in Sri Lanka was commenced in 1950s. The first library education programme was started at the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1957. The University of Peradeniya started a postgraduate course in Library Science in 1961 and it was abandoned due to lack of trained teachers in 1965. Junior Universities of Ceylon was started a diploma course in Library Science in 1968 and it also ended in 1970 due to lack of lectures. Meantime Library Association started Diploma course in 1960 in English medium. 1973 can be considered as the one of land marked year of the library education in Sri Lanka because the University of Kelaniya started a degree programme in Library Science. In 1993 the University of Colombo started a Master programme in Library and Information Science in English medium. Meantime National Library Services Board also started number of short term training courses and correspondent course in the discipline in 1987. Another land mark of library education of Si Lanka was establishment of National Institute for Library and Information Science in 1999 with the major aim of provide manpower facilities for library sector in the country. In addition to this there are number of governmental bodies in the country organize short term programme in the field of Library and Information Science in time to time. The principal purpose of the paper was to develop a model for the enhancement off library education in Sri Lanka. The paper explores the initiation and gradual development of library education in Sri Lanka. Objectives of the study 1-Investigate historical development of library education in Sri Lanka, 2-Study the land mark of library education in Sri Lanka 3-Study the drawback and impact of library education in the country 4-Suggest a new model for coordination of institutions in library education and research. Methodology in this research the author intended to use qualitative approach to test the outcomes of the research. Outcomes the main drawback found in the study was the lack of effective coordination among sister institutions on library education. It was identified that slow growth of research output. The other principal outcome found in the study were the identification of sister organization devoted to library education along with their contributions, historical development library education in the country, the barriers and obstacles faced related to the enhancement of education and research in Library and Information Science. One of the other main findings in the study was the role of the national library in education and research in Library and Information Science. The researcher suggests that coordination of library education should be performed by the National Library of Sri Lanka through the proposed new National Library model. The outcomes of the research will be useful to different groups of people in Sri Lanka