Abstract
The main objective of this study was to identify the problems faced by the University of Moratuwa library and the University of Colombo library in the process of automation. In achieving this objective, the study aimed to identify the software packages used by the two libraries and available modules in them; to find out the availability of infrastructure, hardware and financial facilities in the two libraries; to identify the progress made by two libraries in automation; to identify the attitude of the staff of the two libraries towards library automation; to identify the attitude of the university management towards library automation; to identify the solutions suggest by the two libraries to overcome the problems in automation. Survey method was used to identify the problems and interviews have been conducted with the two librarians and the departmental heads of the two libraries to collect data. The Survey revealed that two libraries surveyed face several problems such as inadequacy of infrastructure and hardware, problems in the software, lack of trained and skilled staff and lack of funds. The study makes recommendations to overcome these problems and achieve successful automation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sllim.v1i2.434 Sri Lanka Journal of Librarianship & Information Management volume1, No.2 pp.59-68 The full text of this article is available on the NILIS website.
Highlights
History of Library Automation in Sri LankaThe Natural Resources, Energy and Science Authority of Sri Lanka (NARESA), currently known as the National Science Foundation (NSF) obtained a computer in 1983 for the use of the Sri Lanka Scientific and Technical Information Centre (SLSTIC)
There are 13 university libraries in Sri Lanka, but with the information gathered before the study, the researcher could identify that there were only few university libraries, which were advanced in the process of automation this study covered only 2 university libraries, namely University of Moratuwa Library (UML) and University of Colombo Library (UCL)
General objective of this research is to identify the problems faced by University of Moratuwa Library and the University of Colombo Library in automating their functions
Summary
The Natural Resources, Energy and Science Authority of Sri Lanka (NARESA), currently known as the National Science Foundation (NSF) obtained a computer in 1983 for the use of the Sri Lanka Scientific and Technical Information Centre (SLSTIC) This can be considered as a historical event because this was the first computer set up in a library in Sri Lanka. UNESCO developed CDS/ISIS by combining its own Computerized Documentation System with the Integrated Set of Information Systems of the International Labour Organization and there had been a rapid progress of library computerization activities in Sri Lanka after the introduction of CDS/ISIS in 1987 (Yapa, 1995). This software was, and is, distributed to libraries free of cost. Since many library software packages (CDS/ISIS, Purna, LibSys, Lib Suite, Alice and ISURU) have been used by university librarians to automate the functions of the library
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