A study on reference sources published in Sri Lanka: 1962-2000

Abstract

Reference service is targeted for the provision of up-to-date, accurate, relevant and timely appropriate information for those who demand. For this purpose, there should be a substantial amount of reference sources published in a given country. The principal aim of this paper was to survey the nature and extent of reference sources published in the Island between the 1962-2000 both in the sense of quality and quantity. The objectives of the study are to explore how many reference sources published in the period in the national languages, to study the quality of reference sources, to investigate the historical growth of reference sources and to explore the obstacles of publishing reference sources. Selected samples included the reference sources like Bibliographies, Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, Almanacs, Yearbook, Biographical sources and Geographical sources published between from 1962 -2000 in Sri Lanka. Historical research method was used and other basic techniques used were the interviews and observation. Secondary data were collected using Magazines, Web pages, and Newspapers. It is found that slow growth of publishing the reference sources in the Country. When it compared with the reference sources evaluation criteria, it was revealed that most of reference sources were well below the level of the quality of the evaluation criteria. The other barrier for the rapid growth of reference sources was the slow growth of publishing industry in the country. Both publishing and library sectors showed a poor interest in designing and developing reference sources and collections respectively. Suggestions are made to increase more awareness on the reference service and source concept among Publishers, Librarians, Teachers, Researchers and the Library Users.