A Comparative Study on the Available Information Sources and Information Requirements of the Users i

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A Comparative Study on the Available Information
Sources and Information Requirements of the Users
in Selected Libraries of the Science and
Technology Sector in Sri Lanka

• Harshani Dissanayake, Dilmani Warnasuriya and
• Wathmanel Seneviratne

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INTRODUCTION

• Developed countries have high standards of
  scientific and technological activities
• Majority of ST literature are available in these
  countries
• ST personnel in Sri Lanka depend on this
  information
• Past studies

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OBJECTIVES

• To investigate the availability of scientific and
  technological information sources in the
  libraries
• To investigate the user requirements
• To investigate whether the information sources in
  libraries and information centres are compatible
  with the user requirements

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METHODOLOGY

• Survey method using questionnaire as data
  collection instrument
• Sample - 39 Libraries - A purposive sample was
  selected based on the knowledge of the population
  and the objectives of the study.
• Library users (207)- 10 of the population
• Library Questionnaire
• General background Acquisition
• Resources services Marketing/publicity
• Users questionnaire
• General background Information requirements
• Library usage Awareness

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ANALYSIS OF THE LIBRARY QUESTIONNAIRE

• General Information
• Response rate-33 (84.6)
• 14 (42) libraries are open to public
• 2 (6.06) libraries opened during week ends
• Acquisition of Information materials
• Money allocated for information material
  from1997-1999
• Response rate 17 (51.51)
• In 10(30.3) increase
• In 2 (6.06) decrease

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• Money spent on different information material
  (books, journals, electronic media) in the years
  1996-99 ANOVA test - no significant change with
  time
• Selection of information material5(15.63) Librar
  ian - moderately involved Staff
  requests - strongly involved
• Participation in networks24(72.72) -
  SLISTINET 12(36.36) - ENLINET
• Contribution to the Union catalogue of
  books 7(21.21) Libraries contribute
• Union list of Periodicals 16 (48.48) -
  Libraries contribute

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• Information Resources and Services
• Books - Subject table based on DDC 500 600 class
  numbers and percentages were given
• Earth science, meteorology, microbiology,
  vertebrates
• Engineering, field and plantation crops,
  management, food technology, ceramics, buildings
  wood construction
• Scientific periodicals
• Standards and technical reports in more than 50
  libraries
• 18 (54.54) Internet
• 10(39.39) CR-ROMs
• Internet, technology know-how, machinery, market
  info.,

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• Marketing and publicity
• 12 (36.36) libraries - No publicity
• 13 (39.39) A list of resources
• More than 50 of the libraries do not conduct
  orientation programmes.
• More than 75 of the libraries have never used
  public media to publicize their resources.

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ANALYSIS OF THE USERS QUESTIONNAIRE

• General Information
• Response rate - 130 (74.75)
• 64 (49.23) B.Sc. or equivalent
• 68 (52.31) professional qualifications
• 60 Engineers, 40 Scientists
• Scientists - Research Development
• Engineers - Industry and Management

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• Information requirements of the users
• Same subject table and the percentages were
  given.
• Science - Users need more than 50 in all the
  subjects except astronomy, and vertebrates.
• Technology - Users need more than 50 in
  engineering, electronic communication,
  engineering, management, food technology and
  buildings.
• Standards, reprints, newsletters, communications,
  conference proceedings and technical reports.

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• 47.69 respondents use books for current
  approach.
• 46.92. respondents use books for everyday
  approach
• 50 respondents use journals for current
  approach.
• 33.85 users use electronic media for current
  approach
• Usage of Internet predominates the other
  electronic media.

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• Library usage -
• 62 (47.69 ) less than two hrs per week.
• 77 (59.59) of the respondents think the subject
  coverage is excellent, good or satisfactory.
• 82 (63.07) respondents use other libraries.
• 93.3 of them use books
• More than 50 use journals and technical reports

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• Awareness
• Library catalogues, browsing through book
  shelves, library orientations, brochures,
  librarian
• New additions
• Display of new arrivals

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COMPARISON

• In 10 (30.30) libraries money spent on
  information material increased.
• Out of the 43 respondents 37 (86.04) think that
  the subject coverage is good.
• 37 (86.04 think that the currentness is good
• 14 libraries did not have at least one science
  subject needed by their users
• 23 libraries did not have at least one technology
  subject needed by their users

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• In 12 libraries out of 15 which has internet, all
  the respondents use internet.
• 50 of the respondents in 18 libraries which do
  not have internet use Internet.

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CONCLUSIONS

• A central scientific and technical library
• A clear policy in selecting library materials
• Usage of electronic media in all scientific and
  technical libraries
• Proper marketing and publicity programmes.

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THANK YOU