Abstract:
The library is a social institution as it is essentially responding to the total communication
pattern of modern society. The renaissance and reformation in Europe witnessed the
growth of various types of libraries such as public, special, academic and national.
Among these types of libraries the national library is a unique institution not only in
Europe but also in the countries all over the world. As knowledge has become most
significant intangible assets to the present day world, dissemination of information to the
society is the major responsibility of any type of libraries. Free access to information is a
human right. According to United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and
especially Article 19 :”Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this
right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and
impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”(UNO,1948).
A clear indication about the duties and responsibilities of a library is providing right
information to the right reader at the right time. Therefore, it is a major responsibility of a
library to provide its service to all the members of their communities, regardless of age,
race, nationality, religion, culture, political affiliation, physical or other disabilities,
gender or sexual orientation, and any other status. Among the various types of libraries
the national library has a major role to play to fulfil this requirement. To fulfil this role
the national libraries/library of a particular country has to play two roles that of
collaborative and leadership. In analysing these roles national libraries all over the world
could be categorized into two that of libraries in developed and developing countries,
while some national libraries in developed countries playing collaborative role, some
national libraries in developing countries are playing the leadership role. However in
some extend the most of national libraries are playing a mix role of leadership and
collaboration.
The purpose of the study was to examine the existing leadership and collaborative roles
of the national libraries with special reference to the national libraries in Europe and Sri
Lanka. The research is based on a mixed method of qualitative and quantitative method
in nature. Data collection procedures are based on interviews, questionnaires and content
analysis.
Findings of the research is given below National Libraries of Europe are playing a
significant role in the context of Library and Information Science based on collaborative
model. National Library of Sri Lanka is playing a structured (conventional) role in the
context of Library and Information Science based on leadership model.
