Identifying the Issues Using the Machine Readable Cataloguing Standard for the Library Automation in University Libraries in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Most of the libraries in the world have used the Machine Readable Cataloguing (MARC) for the automation their libraries which is the adoption of Manual Catalogue into machine-based system. Some of the versions in MARC are MARC I, MARC II, Universal Machine Readable Cataloguing - UNIMARC and MARC 21. Fifteen University Libraries in Sri Lanka had used Open Source Library Management Systems (OSLMS) and Commercial Library Management Systems (CLMS) for automation. Five out of fifteen University Libraries were selected as the sample. Sixty library staff members had responded for the given a structured questionnaire. It could be pointed out that had no proper level or proper format of MARC in LMSs. The awareness level of staff on MARC and its use were very low. Making union catalogue will be a difficult task because not having unity with OPAC among the University Libraries that is the major problem of the research.