A Study of Problems Faced By the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC), Users in Sri Lankan University Libraries.

摘要

The purpose of this study is to identify information needs of university community and find out the problems they encounter when they search OPAC of Sri Lankan university libraries. Attempts are also made to make proposals to upgrade the OPAC in university libraries in Sri Lanka. All the university libraries in Sri Lanka identified by UGC annual statistic report in year 2006 were considered as the population of this study. Although there are fifteen universities under UGC, only six university libraries indicate the availability of OPAC. Non probability purposive sampling method was applied for select the University of Colombo, Peradeniya, Sri Jayewardenepura, Moratuwa, Ruhuna and Open university of Sri Lanka as sample. The structured questionnaires and face to face interviews were administered for 25 students, 10 academic staff members and 5 library administrative department heads (including librarian) from each university. Thus the sample population included 150 students and 60 academics and 30 library staff members altogether. Interviews were conducted between 18.09.2006 to 23.10.2006 on Tuesdays and Thursdays of selected weeks. Period From 10.00 am to 2.00 pm of the day was selected as most appropriate peak hours. An inquiry was made before the survey of the students and academic staff in order to represent the different academic years and faculties in the universities. Irrespective of their affiliation by faculties, the first ten academic staff members and 25 undergraduates attended to the libraries during that period was selected for the surveyOn the study of problems faced by the OPAC users in Sri Lankan university libraries have recognized the 10 major issues. To overcome these problems the users need to have a high level of computer literacy. They also mush have a sufficient knowledge on the nature of the component of bibliographical databases. Selecting the suitable library automation software and promoting uniformity between university library automation activities are the other reform necessary in this connection.