http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/9122 2026-08-13T11:10:58Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/21550 Assessing the effectiveness of academic library services: A review on the formulation of a feasible conceptual framework Ajith, J.A.; Ramanayaka, K.H.; Weerasooriya, W.A. With the rapid development of internet technology and the gradually accelerating rate of information technology, library systems are progressively transforming into hybrid library systems that provide services from traditional and electronic means. For insightful planning toward a strong service to the community, there is a need to continuously evaluate the effectiveness of library services. Based on this requirement, the purpose of this study is to determine the criteria and their measuring indicators that can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of modern academic library services by reviewing related studies found in the literature, and then build a conceptual framework. A comprehensive literature review related to library service effectiveness was conducted to identify, determine and suggest scientific evaluation criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of academic library services. The study revealed that User Satisfaction, Collection Development, Management and Staff Contributions, Service Efficiency, and Accessibility, were the top key evaluation criteria used or cited in the related works. Three or more indicator categories for each criterion have been identified, and the measurable indicators consisted of Likert-type questions on a five-point rating scale that can be used to measure indicator categories. Finally, the conceptual framework for assessing academic library service effectiveness has been developed based on these criteria and their measurement indicators. The study has presented a framework of service effectiveness, including assessment criteria and measurement indicators that can be used to evaluate modern hybrid academic libraries. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/10442 Books to Support Mental Well-Being: A Study on the Possible Challenges in Implementing Bibliotherapy in the Sri Lankan Context. Senevirathna, R.A.P.S.; Lansakara, L.H.M.D.S. This ongoing research examines the Bibliotherapy in several aspects. Bibliotherapy is the "process of dynamic interactions between the personality of the reader and literature as a psychological field which may be utilized for personality assessment, adjustment and growth" (Shrodes, 1949). The focus of the study is on defining the concept, determining the capacity of Bibliotherapy to support mental well-being and discuss the possible challenges in applying Bibliotherapy to the Sri Lankan context. The study involved a qualitative thematic analysis concerning the selected areas. The study revealed that Bibliotherapy is a therapeutic approach which is assisted by the healing power of books; the reading therapy. The previous studies reveal that this concept is new to Sri Lanka, compared to several other countries which practice this method competently. According to the statistics of secondary data sources, the necessity of counselling and psychological support for the individuals in Sri Lanka is increasing day by day. In such a context, this can be a solution for the pressing psychological issues faced by the individuals. Sources of reading materials are found everywhere in Sri Lanka and the implementation of the therapy within the country appreciably can stand as a slayer of the psychosocial insecurities faced by the public. It was interpreted that this therapy is more effective for those that display an inborn preference for reading. Approaching diverse psychological issues with focused Bibliotherapeutic approaches is vital. Accordingly, a well trained group of Bibliotherapists is a necessity. In implementing this service in Sri Lanka, inadequate number of professionally qualified Bibliotherapists will be a challenge. Moreover, in training Bibliotherapists, Government will need a stable financial provision along with the assistance of professionals representing foreign countries. Enlightening the relevant authorities about the importance of this concept and introducing it to the Sri Lankan library system can also be suggested. 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/10441 A Study on the Mobile Library Services in the Public Libraries: Senevirathna, R.A.P.S. The Public library is an institution that provides equal access to all. It stands in societies with diverse development stages and cultures. Hence, the manner of service as well as the way of providing the service differs from context to context. Extension service is one of the many services which should be provided by the public libraries, as it offers service for a diversity of readers and also it benefits in giving a clear idea about library services to those that currently do not use it. The main purpose of this concept is to take the library to readers who have difficulties visiting the library. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to investigate the application, practice and challenges of providing mobile library services by the public libraries. The Survey method was utilized as the data collection method. The study involved public libraries in Matara district, Sri Lanka as the study sample. The survey revealed that the libraries do not possess a separate collection of books for the mobile library service, the books in the mobile library collection is less (below 750), the mobile libraries identify the school children as their target reader group (54.54%), the majority use a vehicle (a cab) of the governing institutions to transport the books and offer the service (54.54%). The study also revealed that none of the libraries offers this service to people in hospitals and prisons and the vehicles allotted for the mobile libraries lack the necessary facilities. Increasing the financial support, number of books collection, awareness program, improving the facilities in the mode of transportation, etc. can be pointed out as recommendations. 2021-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/9446 Role of Open-Access e-repositories of Sri Lanka in commercial e-repository environment Arachchige, J.J.G. Although information business in the world is dominated by commercial resource suppliers today, users of academic libraries expect free access to information they need. High subscription prices and various access restrictions of commercial e-repositories hinder the library’s effort to provide free information for their patrons. This issue is specially occurring in developing countries due to budgetary restrictions and unavailability of modern technology. In this circumstance, Open Access (OA) concept has been popular among scholarly communities and many institutions today have initiated OA e-repositories to serve the users under a sharing basis. This movement in Sri Lanka still seems in the developing stage and is getting more attention from users as well as librarians. Open Access e-repositories have a great role to play in order to save the user from the hands of commercial profit-oriented information providers and to serve the people with free access to information. Scholarly communities, librarians, and funding agencies need to collaborate to make this process easy and successful. Poor content, lack of proper policies, and lack of awareness were found as barriers to this process. 2018-01-01T00:00:00Z