Access and Usage of the Online Databases in the Wayamba University Library Network (with special reference to Makandura Premises)

Abstract

Electronic databases play a major role as information sources in libraries at present. Many of the indexed and abstracting journals appear as electronic bibliographic databases and information retrieval systems. Other than indexes and abstracts, there are different types of electronic databases, which are now very popular among the librarians and library users due to several factors like speed, flexibility, wide range and accuracy. The objective of this study is to measure the online database usage of academics in Wayamba University Makandura Premises, and to find the obstacles they face. The methodology used for this study was the survey method. Online questionnaires were used as the data collection method. The questionnaires were distributed to the academic staff in two faculties of the Makandura premises. Usage statistics of vendors were also used in data analysis. Online questionnaires were given to the academic staff in order to identify the most useable databases, and also to understand the obstacles in using online databases. Vendor’s statistics (2012-2015) are utilized to see the usage pattern of databases. The study shows that there had been a steady growth rate in the usage of the online database.. However the general usage of online database of Wayamba library network is at a satisfactory level. Several obstacles to online database usage were identified in this study. These include the lack of full text availability, the high cost of online databases, the lack of search skills among users, the lack of knowledge about scholarly e-journals. The following recommendations were made to overcome above obstacles: increase the subscriptions of scholarly online databases, allocate sufficient funds by the university and conduct continuous information-seeking literacy training by library.