AN INVESTIGATION AND ANALYSIS OF ONLINE PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGUES (OPACS) IN UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN SRI LANKA

Li Si and Wanigasooriya Priyanwada
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Li Si: Center for the Studies of Information Resources, Wuhan University, China
Wanigasooriya Priyanwada: Department of Library & Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

International Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, 2016, vol. 2, issue 1, 28-39

Abstract: . This study aimed to investigate the usage, user satisfaction and native problems of OPACs in Sri Lankan university libraries. Primary data was collected from 570 users comprising faculty members and students of the six universities. A questionnaire, online survey and participatory observation were used as the data collection tools to obtain information about the OPAC. The data thus collected was analyzed with the help of basic statistical measures to present finding in percentages and ranking formats. Primary data revealed that OPAC has to be developed much more than the stages in which it was introduced to the Sri Lankan university system in 2000. Further, facilities provided with the system were insufficient and majority of users unaware about them. In addition to that, it demonstrated OPACs possessed in primary stages this situation caused to dissatisfaction with users and staff members. Appropriate and continues training for users and staff members, technological advancement and the native language searching facilities can overcome the identified problems. This is a pioneering work in Sri Lanka studying the quality and problems of the OPACs. Since some libraries in Sri Lanka are going for the OPACs, this study could influence to policy and decision makers to implement effective OPACs in Sri Lanka. Keeping in perspective the approach of skillful users and their user behavior, this research suggests recommendation for user-friendly OPACs included simplistic search strategies for university libraries in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: OPAC; University Libraries; Sri Lanka (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:apa:ijhass:2016:p:28-39

DOI: 10.20469/ijhss.2.20003-1

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