Collaboration and Sharing Resources and Services among Institute Libraries of the National Universities in Sri Lanka: with recommendations for improvement

Abstract

The need for resource sharing among libraries has become even more important today with constraints of finance, space, and manpower. Specific objectives of this study were to develop a database / directory on the resources available in the institute libraries, to find out the strengths and weaknesses of the institute libraries and librarians in the University sector and to help each other to overcome the weaknesses. Study used a multi-strategy approach called ‘triangulation’ to collect data and study instruments was literature review, questionnaires and interviews used to analyzed the documents generated by the organizations. This study delineates the ways of collaboration and web-based library cooperation with the conclusion that the automation of libraries and effective formation of country consortium can only promote the effective library cooperation for access to worldwide information and global resource sharing. Current study also recommends that government or UGC should take up development project to provide appropriate Digital Library databases and provide ICT raining at global standard. Further, the study recommends that the libraries should seek for workable partnership efforts, so that the benefits derivable will help them optimize information services delivery, partnership among libraries and related institutions, should be strengthened by the leaders of the organizations through understanding, partnering parties should struggle and cope with changes through professional development so that they can adapt to their new roles, partnering libraries should examine the partnership mission in the light of individual and institutional values before venturing into it, libraries should develop alternative sources of funding than depending solely on their parent institutions.