Browsing by Author "Wanasinghe, W.M.P.G.K.T."

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Job Satisfaction among Public Library Professionals: a Gender base Comparison
(3rd International Conference on Library and Information Management, Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Wanasinghe, W.M.P.G.K.T.
The purpose of the study is to examine gender base job satisfaction among Public library professionals in Anuradhapura District .Survey method was carried to achieve the goal. Questionnaire was used as the data collection tool. The study shows both positive and negative signs of satisfaction among the professionals. This paper may benefit Government Authority by encouraging librarians to contribute more to their jobs and may help them in their personal growth and development.
Proposed competency model for Sri Lankan librarians
(University of Kelaniya, 2013) Wanasinghe, W.M.P.G.K.T.
The field of Library and Information Science (LIS) scope has been critically evaluated in the new era. The librarians must now be agile, flexible and able to adjust to a changing world. LIS as a discipline influences other discipline like technology; marketing, electronic resources, etc. In the rapidly changing environment, library professionals should change their attitudes to face these challenges. Many LIS professional organizations and LIS professionals tried to present some guidelines to develop competencies for library professionals to do their tasks, because in the present decade, the university libraries have seen its advanced changes due to fast changing and growing information technology and communication. The special needs of library users is another challenge. This study is to develop a competency model for Sri Lankan Librarians (SLLs) indicating the number of competencies in two main categories under personal and professional. This study was conducted by using both primary and secondary data; questionnaire and personnel discussions with University Librarians and resources persons who are attached to the LIS curricular in the National Institute of Library and Information Science (NILIS) of University of Colombo and Department of Library and Information Science in University of Kelaniya. Secondary data were gathered from books, articles, research reports etc. This framework provides a common view of acquiring competencies in order to perform the SLLs’ duties and responsibilities, matching requirements in a rapidly changing environment in a highly qualitative manner. There were nine core competencies identified with fifteen personal competencies and thirteen professional competencies. The results conclude that the SLLs’ are able to fulfill the competencies which are highly essential in order to achieve and fulfill the targeted library user requirements with suitable responses to the modern environment.
Study of extensive reading preferences among the science-based undergraduates in Sri Lanka: A case study of Medicine and Agriculture faculties at Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2021) Wanasinghe, W.M.P.G.K.T.; Illangarathne, S. K.; Dilrukshi, W.P.T.
Extensive reading of undergraduates would be more influential & valuable habit in so many different ways during their academic lives as they become confident, happy readers can be both challenging and immensely gratifying. Since measuring this habit quantitatively would be bit difficult due to the various aspects, however this study attempts to measure the ratio level of extensive reading of undergraduates instead of their intensive reading. Finally it tries comparatively analyzing the extensive reading preferences among the science-based undergraduates in Sri Lanka with reference to the Medicine and Agriculture faculties at the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka (RUSL) based on the time-series data retrieved from the Koha Integrated Library System. The main objective of the study was to identify the level of extensive reading of general reading books by science-based undergraduates. The specific objectives of the study were to find out the level of availability of library resources related to the extensive reading, to find out the existing extensive reading behaviors and to identify the comparison and gaps of extensive reading by the science-based undergraduates of RUSL. The case study method was used to conduct the study and time series data set retrieved from the Koha: Open-Source Library Integrated System called ‘ISURa’ which has been installed at the file server of RUSL during the time period from 2016 to 2019. The main assumption of the study was that checking out books from the library by the above students is the only use for them. The limitation of the study was not considering the Adhoc reading at the library during the selected period. The major finding of the study was that science-based student’s extensive reading behavior is satisfactory compared with their intensive reading (Agriculture students 50% and Medicine students 20%) further authors were recommended to enhance the available resources by increasing the annual budget proportionately.
Teacher as a School Librarian: a Study of School libraries’ in Thabuththegama Educational Zone of Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Wanasinghe, W.M.P.G.K.T.
School teachers are working as school librarians in the Sri Lankan context .This paper focused to identify current state of the school libraries and to identify the teacher’s role as a librarian in the schools of Thabuththegama Educational Zone. According to the IFLA school library guidelines (June, 2015)there are commonly identified qualifications for professional school librarians. Few researches done with school librarians’ role at the institution level .But in the Sri Lankan context there were various school library development projects, seminars, workshops done by national and international level. According to Wickramanayake (2015), the majority of school libraries in Sri Lanka are run by less qualified school librarians with no professional librarianship. Questionnaire based survey method was used to gather data. Forty six school librarianswereresponded and the rate of response is 100%. According to the analytical results, there was 17% of libraries did not have separate library building and they use small room as a library. Then, there was 83% libraries had a separate building for library. Only 17% was school librarians position and 7% teachers assigned for libraries.2% was office assistant and 2% was Library assistants. Seventy two percent of teachers(72%) were assigned to library with teaching another subject.85% school library teachers had an experience and they would like to develop school libraries. No school librarian’s appointment receives to the area. School Principal assigned a teacher to look after the library volunteer. Findings of the study was educational authorities should create school library position and recruit accordingly and decision should be taken to appoint separate qualified teacher for the school library fulltime and trained them. Libraryservices board North Central Province help to build up school libraries with organizing workshop, seminars,training sessions and Readingcamp for students from 2015.
Unraveling Library Over dues: Exploring Overdue Patterns through Analyzing Koha Reports from Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
(Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2023) Illangarathne, S.K.; Wanasinghe, W.M.P.G.K.T.
This study addresses the pervasive issue of Library Over dues (LO) by investigating their present situation and overdue patterns in the RUSL Library System. To understand these dynamics, the study employs quantitative analysis, utilizing a dataset retrieved from the Koha Library Management System. Extracting overdue report files, borrower records, and circulation logs, the research aims to discern patterns in frequency, type, and duration of over-dues, distributions faculty wise considering factors like user types and material categories. The study identified both the students and teacher’s overdue books as a nominal activity. When analyzing the clarifications for over dues noted that such as forgetfulness and extended borrowing mainly caused the lengthy over dues. The study intends to propose tailored strategies to eliminate the issue. Recommendations may involve user education, policy revisions, or technological interventions to enhance library services and mitigate over dues, adding more copies of outstanding books thereby contributing to a more efficient library system.
Use of Electronic Information Resources by medical students at the Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Wanasinghe, W.M.P.G.K.T.
Due to rapid stride in the field of information and communication technology, libraries are getting completely modernize in to information access centers in electronic forms. This paper explores the role in medical student’s knowledgeof searching information and the use of electronic resources at the faculty. Objectives of the research are to identify the awareness of e-resources available at the university, to study usage of electronic resources available at the university and which areas of training needed on e-resources usage at the faculty of medicine and Allied Sciences, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka.The survey method was used for data collection. The structured questionnaires were used to collect data among the medical undergraduates at the faculty from 1st to 30th September 2015 covering question on computer literacy, Internet access and location, Knowledge and use of electronic resources and training needs. Using simple random sampling methods, seventy questionnaires were distributed. Responded rate was 71%, whom 20% student’s access internet daily. And 34% access internet weekly.50% of internet access student’s access e-books and others access to social media. 50% of the library visited undergraduate did not aware about e-resources available at the library and the university. As medical undergraduatesmany respondents felt that e-resources were important and required awareness to access e-resources.And revealed that undergraduates who express an interest in learning about the library’s electronic resources. Based on these findings, it was recommended to conduct a user awareness programs for the medical undergraduates with hand on session use e-resources available at the library and consortia. And future suggested that library service can be extended and modified to do training for undergraduate to access and use e-resources.