Use of Digital Libraries for the Learning Process by Students of Sri Lankan Universities in the post Covid-19 era: Special reference to Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Digital libraries are needed to successfully address the strategic goals of higher education with appropriate technologies. This study was conducted based on the research problem of how Sri Lankan university students use the digital libraries for the learning process in the postCovid era. The aim of this research with this background is to examine the use of digital libraries for searching information needed for the learning process of university students in the post Covid era. The research approach used in this is the quantitative method and research strategy is the survey research method. All the BA Hons undergraduate’s students of the Faculty of Social Sciences in University of Kelaniya were considered as the selected research population. The sample was selected with a confidence level of 90% using the mathematical formula called “Sample Size Calculate” and the stratified random sampling method was applied in selecting the sample. Primary data was collected through an online questionnaire and the Excel software was used to analyze the quantitative data. Secondary data were collected through the printed sources, which were considered relevant to the research. The study revealed that 63.4% of university students used digital libraries had increased in this period and that digital libraries had received more attention during the Covid pandemic and 63.4% of them used both local and foreign digital libraries. Suggestion is made to implement the awareness programs through Seminars, Webinars and interactive sessions for the first year students of the university on the digital literacy for improving the knowledge and application of including the need and utility of such libraries. It reveals that an adequate number of digital libraries and sources are yet to develop relevant to local curriculum based subjects hence initiatives have to be taken by relevant stakeholders to design and develop such digital libraries for the education system of Sri Lanka as done by the other countries of the world.