A Comparative Assessment of the Automation Status of University Libraries in Sri Lanka: Current Practices and New Trends

Abstract

Over the past three decades, the traditional university library system in Sri Lanka has undergone several changes as a result of technological advancement. This trend has become increasingly pronounced as university libraries in Sri Lanka have advanced in their automation status. This study intends to evaluate the status of library automation practices and assess the status of such applications in Sri Lankan university libraries. The total population sampling method was applied, and data was collected from 16 state university libraries in Sri Lanka, under the purview of the University Grants Commission, Sri Lanka. Currently, Koha Open-Source Software (OSS) has been adopted by all state university libraries in Sri Lanka. The most prominent reason for switching to Koha OSS from commercial software is the difficulty of customizing the commercial software according to each library’s requirements. To secure the library collection, the majority of the university libraries in Sri Lanka use only manual security systems, and they have employed an outsourced security team or library staff for security purposes. The rest of the libraries use sophisticated security gates powered by RFID or electromagnet detectors. Among them, 18.2% use security gates compatible with electromagnet tapes, while 15.2% use RFID security systems with RFID-compatible gates. Results reveal all the university libraries in Sri Lanka have adopted partially or fully automated circulation systems. The circulation process in 97% of libraries is partially automated, and they use barcode readers and/or RFID workstations. Only the Science Faculty library of the University of Colombo has implemented a fully automated circulation system with self-check-in/out machines powered by RFID technology. Insufficient funds, interrupted power supplies, and poor infrastructure facilities are the most prominent difficulties for the automation process. Most of the libraries proposed increasing the library allocation as a solution to overcome the obstacles of the automation process. Frequent studies are recommended to identify updates in the automation process of libraries in Sri Lanka. Keywords: Library automation, University libraries, Koha OSS, RFID, Sri Lanka