Library Automation at University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka

Today, many service oriented organizations like libraries have focused on enhancing their customer service strategies in collaboration with modern developments in technology. Therefore introduction and use of new technology is becoming a common part in modern libraries. This technological introductions to the libraries have made a complete change in all traditional library processes and services. Not only the technology has affected to make impressive improvements in library services but also it has streamlined the library operations. Enhancing image of library and librarians, introducing and promoting of new library services, creating a social learning environment within the library etc. were some of the aspects in library automation projects. The purpose of this paper is to present experiences, problems and solutions experienced during the automation project at University of Moratuwa library. This covers introduction of new integrated library system, migration from one system to another and the technical perspectives of the process of library automation. Automation was introduced to Sri Lankan university libraries in 1987 as a result of proposal provided to University Grant Commission (UGC). University of Moratuwa library started its automation entering catalogue data using CDS/ISIS in 1981 and in year 2000, Libsys software package was installed as a complete integrated library system

Open source software adoption for library management; issues and challenges

Though there are different kinds of Integrated Library Management Systems (ILMS) available, introduction of Open Source Software (OSS) has proved to be fruitful. KOHA is the mostly used open-source integrated library management system around the world. Recently University of Moratuwa migrated from a proprietary system to KOHA. Social & technical barriers faced in the process is discussed here. Developing new features in KOHA to be compatible with the existing features in the proprietary system had been the biggest challenge met by the researchers. High implementation cost, annual maintenance fee, obtaining frequent updates, and uprising new requirements are the problems in using a proprietary system. Emphasizing the need of new system to the staff, installation and testing parallel to the existing system, and data migration were the main challenges faced. University of Moratuwa Library was able to handle all these challenges and is sticking into a slow, but steady migration schedule. It is concluded that migration to a new ILMS is a challenging and a risky task. However, it is not impossible to do, especially when the new system is open source. That gives the implementing organisation to customise with ease, to suit local needs. However, having ready-access to IT expertise is a necessity

Digital repository of University of Moratuwa library

Research paper presented in Annual research and achievers colloquium, University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka (ULA) - 201

Usage of online databases and user perceptions towards the facilities provided: A case study at University of Moratuwa

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Colombo for Master in Library Science (MLS)In the past the main role of the libraries was ownership and storage. But today it has been replaced by accessibility and availability of materials. Developments of these new services mainly depended on the feedback of the end users. Therefore, conducting of user surveys was very important to obtain the exact situation of the library services. There were two aims of this case study. First aim was to present a comparison and an evaluation of user interfaces and the functionality of web based e-journals and databases. The second aim of the study was to find out the extent of accepting electronic journals and databases by the users. The objectives of the study were to explore the use of online databases, the user perception towards online databases, user satisfaction with facilities provided by the library for using online resources and the factors that affect the usage of these resources. Data for the study was obtained from the usage statistical reports (provided by the vendors) and the user survey. The participants of the user survey were drawn from four categories of the University, academic staff members, postgraduate students, undergraduate students and students of Institute of Technology - University of Moratuwa (ITUM). Total of 400 participants were selected for the survey. Online journal and database features were analyzed according to pre-defined guidelines based on user friendliness and functionality. Many similarities and few differences were found among the features of electronic journals and databases. The main difference was found in the area of query formulation. Common retrieval features included Boolean operators, phrase searching, match of exact words or phrases, truncation and wildcard characters. Interpretation and implementation of these features had differences among the online journals and databases

Comparison of features of online journals and databases

Research paper published in Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka - 2009The objective of the study was to examine and make a comparison of the features of online journals and databases available at the Library, University of Moratuwa during the year 2006. A total of nineteen online resources including nine online databases and ten online journals were examined. The systems were assessed under two criteria, the user friendliness and the functionality. The user friendliness features were assessed under the design of the web pages and the type of the interface, personalisation and database selection. Access and retrieval of information, results manipulation and availability of help menu were considered under the functionality features. Boolean operators, phrase searching, field specific searching, wildcard and truncation were observed as common retrieval features. The interpretation and implementation of these features were different among the systems. The greatest differences were found in the area of query formulation. Lateral searching, reference links and searching with table of contents were identified as the unique features

Comparison of the subscription cost of print and online periodicals and their usage at the University of Moratuwa library

Research paper published in Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri LankaThe objective of the study was to explore the use of different periodical materials recommended by academic members of the University of Moratuwa against the subscription cost per use for each periodical title. The subscription costs & usage statistics related to the periodical titles subscribed in 2010 were analyzed with respect to the period, February to July 2010. The case study method was adopted in this study. The analysis confirmed that online databases have the lowest subscription cost per use and online + print journals have the highest subscription cost per use. The zero usage of periodicals, especially online materials, raises many questions regarding the periodical recommendations of academic members for their subject fields. The library should maintain a close and collaborative relationship with the departments and new introductory programmes should be designed to increase the awareness of the periodicals of the library users. Providing the facility for the remote access of online materials was another important factor to increase the usage level

Effects of the processing time of recommended materials and their usage on the relevancy to the course curriculum

Research article published in Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka - 2010The objective of the present study was to explore the use of materials recommended by the academic members of the University of Moratuwa, identifying the effects of the processing time of the materials on the usage. The circulation statistics of materials ordered during 2007 were analyzed by user categories, year of publication and processing time. Analysis confirmed that frequency of use of materials had no relation with the processing time even though the processing time of the materials was not in a satisfactory level. Zero usage of some materials has created many questions on the recommendations of the academic members. Year of publication of the materials has a direct impact on the usage. The collaboration between the library and the faculties should be further strengthened. Faculties of the University should decide to obtain the assistance of the library academics in designing of courses for different departments of the university

Use of online journals and databases: A case study based on University of Moratuwa

Research paper published in Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka (2008)The objective of this case study was to explore the use of online databases, user perception towards online databases, user satisfaction with facilities provided by the library for using bnline resources. The participants of the user survey were dawn from four categories of the University; academic staff members, postgraduate students, undergraduate students and students of Institute of Technology - University of Moratuwa (TTUM) . Total of 400 participants were selected for the survey. Analysis confirmed that frequency of use of electronic databases have been restricted only to few data bases (Blackwell Synergy, Science Direct and Wiley Inter Science). Relatively a lesser usage level was observed for the online journals compared to print journals. User groups have satisfied with the programmes conducted for promoting online resources. They have highlighted different areas that should be improved by the library. Providing printing facility and offering remote access facility were main requests of the users. Academic members and postgraduate students had higher online resource usage than the undergraduate students and ITUM students. The major problems examined within the study included, lack of computer and Internet facilities, lack of awareness to electronic resources provided by the library, ineffective communication channels, and irrelevancy of articles in the provided databases and inefficient support of the library

Remote access to online resources at University of Moratuwa

Research paper presented in Annual Research and Achievers Colloquium, University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka (2013)Access to online journals, bibliographic databases, online catalogues and the Internet have altered the traditional library usage patterns, behaviors and expectations of modern library users over the last few decades. Online searching has become the norm and users always expect Google or Wikipedia style access to the library resources. Libraries should have a mechanism for supporting these expectations and behaviors to provide a quality customer service and to fulfill their mission to support teaching, learning and research