Browsing by Author "Thusithakumari, W.M."

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Academic Library Outreach: Relevance of Information Literacy in e-environment for Physical Fitness Trainers in Kurunegala District
(Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Thusithakumari, W.M.; Weerasinghe, M.K.
The study evaluates the impact of Wayamba University's Outreach Program on physical fitness and information literacy for Kurunegala District Physical Fitness Trainers. The program, addressing the underserved target group, emphasises the importance of information literacy in an online environment for trainers. Survey results from 103 participants reveal positive perceptions, with 79.5% female and 20.5% male respondents. Notably, 83.65% of volunteers found the program significantly beneficial. Participants expressed challenges in accessing reliable information, indicating a need for guidance in information search strategies. The study concludes that academic libraries play a vital role in community development by enhancing educational attainment and fostering information literacy. It emphasises the necessity of information literacy to maximise traditional and electronic resources, thereby improving access to electronic information sources and breaking down barriers. The findings underscore the crucial role of information literacy in a digital era for societal well-being.
Accessing the User Satisfaction of Information Literacy Skill Development Program: Special Reference to Faculty of Business Studies and Finance, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Gamlath, W.G.P.; Thusithakumari, W.M.; Malkanthi, D.G.A.S.; Jayawardana, K.G.I.
The innovations in information communication technology have influenced libraries to serve better and adopt the changes. The introduction and spread of electronic information sources are major developments in the libraries and information services in past decades. Today’s information seekers has been offered different opportunities to access to information resources in an increasing array and format. Therefore, role of the academic libraries changed in preparing students to handle the rapidly expanding range of information formats. Traditional Orientation programme is primarily concerned with ways of introducing general techniques of library use and services available, organization layout and facilities of the particular library. Academic libraries are given a fresh opportunity to attract first year students to the library and its services. Therefore, Information Literacy Skill Development (ILSD) Programme changed the traditional scenario and adopted according to new strategies. This paper mainly focused on user satisfaction of ILSD Programme special reference to Faculty of Business Studies and Finance (FBSF), Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (WUSL) also to share experience with other academic librarians. Survey method applied for the study and focus group was the new comers who actively attend fulltime to the ILSD Programme. Selected sample was 287 new comers of FBSF. A self-structured questionnaire with 9 main factors was distributed among the sample. According to the results, the satisfactory level of factors; clear explaining of library service/ facilities, effective multimedia usage, hands on training on e-resources, Brainstorming and Mind Mapping Techniques , OPAC, Library Classification System, Library Tour, integration of library staff and Time allocation is in the range from 87% to 98%. The study investigates that application of innovative practices to the ILSD Programme is more productive in challenging for this changing environment of global information era. Hence, the study recommended to libraries should go extra mile passing traditional Library Orientation ideas with strategies in more practical IL skills for sustainable development.
Dress code of the librarians and community respect: The impact of clothing on the self-image of librarians in state Universities of Sri Lanka: A Case study
(Faculty of Graduate Studies - University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Thusithakumari, W.M.; Weerasinghe, M.K.
Dress code is one of the important parts to build a self-impression of the librarians. For reflecting the professional appearance or the socio psychological impact of clothing, the librarian needs to be clean, fit and simple keeping the traditional look of their own country shows the national identity. This study mainly focuses on examining the nature and value of the dress code of the librarians that influences on their self-image, which imbued of high respect, exposure of national values and the culmination of the intelligence. Survey method applied for the research and the sample was comprised of librarians of the 15 Sri Lankan state universities. The study reveals that dress codes are an identity and they reflect for self- image and its proper time for librarians to consider their dress code wear at work. The Librarian’s dress varies from country to country and it is a symbolic language to make interactions between the community and the librarian. In addition, the librarian dress code should not contain with piercing such as; jewels, religious/ political symbols, fancy accessories and outfits, which deemed not to be a professional librarian. University librarians do focus on good etiquettes and well-mannered behavior that explore the decency and simplicity, attractiveness, ethically and culturally accepted professional smart dress is suitable for an academic librarian. Among the Sri Lankan university librarians, it is likely that female librarians wear Kandyan and/ Indian saree while male librarians wear national/ shirt and trousers. The study concluded that the dress expresses the person’s life-style and simple elegant dress suits for the designation and to save the dignity within the community and the dress code promotes the marketing communication of a library. This study recommended that a librarian should not follow the concept of uniformity in wearing the dress, but it is necessary to consider about demographical aspects and the situation of the region or the particular country in line with certain library policies, procedures and programmes.
Library “WOW”! Planning Orientation for Marketing Academic Libraries.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Thusithakumari, W.M.; Jayawardana, K.G.I.
Wayamba University Library Network (WULN) leads a four - week orientation programme at the beginning of each new academic semester to open minds eye of fresher’s introduced as the Weeks of Welcome (WOW). Creating positive perceptions of academic libraries new student orientations provide as ideal opportunity to be more innovative and proactive in marketing of library resources and services. Currently the academic libraries are become to hybrid libraries and to familiarize the academic learning environment in e-information era. This study investigated the advancements of orientation programmes effect for marketing academic libraries. To find out the factors that influenced marketing of academic libraries through the orientation programmes was the other objective. A survey research method was applied for the study and two questionnaires (pre & post), group interviews and observations were used as data collection instruments. The population consists of 555 new students who attend and the complete programme. Based on the views as part of the new students orientation, scheduled to showcase the Wayamba University Library services, spaces and collections while having a lot of fun. The involvement in orientation had gone through many events which embraced the students: music, games, snacks and library services, library tour, video, creative activities, awarding gifts presented step-by-step guided over 500 participants. According to the results, the librarians were satisfied with strategies followed making attraction to the event, First year Experience (FYE) is better than First Year Instruction (FYI). The inadequate space, computers, large student groups (around 70 heads), time constraints and other university activities were identified as factors influenced on the library orientation.The study recommended to the orientation programme should be provided specific space and more time for the awareness programmes and should be Increased the number of computers for more accessibility of e-resources too. The fun activities based on library resources and services, library tour, snacks and gifts were very important to marketing academic libraries among new comers of the universities. Thereby we had a great new group of library enthusiasts.