http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/9120 Thu, 13 Aug 2026 10:05:55 GMT 2026-08-13T10:05:55Z 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. Sun, 01 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/21550 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20409 Discoverability and metadata completeness in Sri Lankan institutional repositories: A comparative study Amarasekara, K.A.I.M.; Gamage, R.C.G. Institutional Repositories (IRs) can be identified as a vital infrastructure that serve as digital platforms for the preservation and dissemination of scholarly works. IRs enhance research discoverability globally by implementing open access and search engine optimization strategies. As per the previous literature, there are 23 operational IRs in Sri Lanka, but only seven of them are included in OpenDOAR, a globally recognized directory of open access repositories. Despite the growing presence of institutional repositories (IRs) in Sri Lankan universities, their discoverability and metadata completeness remain uncertain. This study compared the metadata completeness, usability, and discoverability of university institutional repositories (IRs) in Sri Lanka using a comparative review of repositories. From 15 main university IRs, five were selected based on activity status and public availability. They were coded from A to E. The data collection was conducted in two stages. In stage one, interface analysis was conducted. In stage two metadata sampling was done, which involved sampling three items from each repository; a thesis, a research article, and a conference paper. This revealed some variations among repositories. The University C’s metadata was more complete with almost all mandatory and optional fields completed. It had a modern contemporary user interface that had the potential for presenting thumbnails of results, and results filtering mechanisms. Universities A, D and E had functional but basic layout design. University B had outdated user interfaces, lacking consistency in their metadata fields of coverage. However, all five of them lacked integration with ORCID or DOIs which limits global visibility. Also, some of the content was only partially accessible, which reflected the difficulties IRs face when maintaining open access initiative. The study recommends adopting standardized metadata practices, persistent identifiers, user-friendly interface design, and registration in indices such as OpenDOAR to enhance discoverability across the globe. Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20409 2025-10-30T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20408 Building a Legacy: Exploring the Demand for an Inclusive Archive at the University of Ruhuna Amarasekara, K.A.I.M.; Gamage, R.C.G. Preserving historical documents and artifacts is crucial for safeguarding cultural legacy and ensuring that future generations can access invaluable knowledge and insights from the past. The "Ruhuna Heritage Nexus" project aims to create an extensive and accessible digital archive at the University of Ruhuna Library. This initiative envisions a modern center for historical study and preservation, enhancing public and researcher access to historical documents and artifacts through digitization, cataloging, and preservation. To assess the needs and expectations for the "Ruhuna Heritage Nexus," a survey was conducted among academic staff, students, and administrative staff at the university. Using a stratified random sampling method, 100 responses were collected, with 25 from academic staff, 50 from students, and 25 from administrative staff. The findings reveal that 85% of respondents indicated a strong demand for a digital archive, particularly with the highest interest among academic and administrative staff. The most desired materials for archiving were scholarly materials and it is 95%. Multimedia resources and historical documents were also highly favored, with 70% and 60% of respondents respectively supporting their inclusion. While open access is widely supported, there is recognition of the need for restricted access to certain materials. Adequate resource allocation, including the appointment of dedicated staff and regular updates, is considered essential for achieving long-term success. This research provides a foundational framework for the potential development and implementation of the "Ruhuna Heritage Nexus," which promises to significantly enhance the university's academic infrastructure and promote knowledge sharing and preservation. Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/20408 2024-10-24T00:00:00Z http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/15662 Effect of Open Access Publishing on the Dissemination of Scientific Knowledge: A Review Using Emerald Database Amarasekara, K.A.I.M.; Madushanka, D.M.T.; Mayuri, H.E.P. In today’s dynamic and vibrant global scenario, Open Access (OA) publishing is one of the current topics among research scholars since it offers unrestricted free access to scholarly research, promoting greater accessibility and dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, through this study, researchers reviewed the effect of open access publishing on the dissemination of scientific knowledge, by utilizing the Emerald Database. Moreover, by examining the advantages, disadvantages, and contribution to research visibility to the growth of scientific information, researchers sought to investigate the effect of open access publishing on the diffusion of scientific knowledge through this review article. Researchers also recognized future opportunities and suggested fixes for issues with open access publishing. This review was organized using the Interactive Literature Review Process (ILRP), which had been developed by former researchers. It used a few particular processes that can be applied to the development of review articles. In order to locate relevant publications for this review, search terms and search strategies were filtered and modified for all emerald content, including journal articles, book parts, case studies, early-cited articles, and expert briefings. These terms and search strategies are related to "open access publishing," "knowledge dissemination and sharing," "open access institutional repositories," and "challenges of open publishing." 18 articles were chosen at random by the researchers after taking into account the article's title and relevance. The review addresses the possible barriers to scientific communities embracing open publishing formats as well as the potential benefits of open access, including increased exposure while raising issues with disseminating information, accessibility, and citations in open access publications. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on open access publishing by providing a comprehensive overview of its effects on the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Thu, 26 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.lib.ruh.ac.lk/handle/iruor/15662 2023-10-26T00:00:00Z