Symposia & Conferences
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Item The Contribution of Library Tradition for Ancient Education System in Sri Lanka(3rd International Conference on Library and Information Management, Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Kumara, D.G.T.U.; Dilhara, W.A.L.P.After arrival of Arahath mahinda in 3rd centuary BC, different sectors in the country were chaned in to new arena including the education. With inclresing number of Maha Sanga in that period, their educational needs were very complex and vivid. Pirivena education came into seen with the idea of changing the ducation system into proper education. The small room where one or few Bikkus were lived and learned was changed in to larger recidences which became Pirivenas or Buddhist educational centers. Eventually these centers of leaning were opened not only to Bhikkus but laypersons too. Pirivena became the mother for the evelvement of libraries in Sri Lanka. First Pirivena library was established at Mahavihara. According to historical sources there have been sevaral branches of pirivenas to Mahavihara and there were too libraries. Art of writing and writing tradition was started by the then Bhikkus based on Budhism. That was helful to develop library system and tradition in Sri Lanka. Objectives of this paper is to exlore the situation of early Pirivena libraryes, education tradition and ppirivena educationItem Professional Tacit Qualities which should be Pre-Occupied by the Dynamic Library Professionals: A Study based on Eight Librarians of Sri Lanka(3rd International Conference on Library and Information Management, Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2019) Ananda Tissa, R. D.The field of training for librarianship began in 1887 with Dewey's School of Library Economy at Columbia University. Librarian like any other professional, a professional librarian should possess best qualities. It is clear and obvious that there was a good library service and learned librarianship from the origin of the civilization and the introduction of writing tradition concurrently. In this paper, special attention has been given to investigate the qualities as well as the manner of devaluation of librarian and the service, gradually. Meanwhile, there probed and explored requirement of regaining and restoring the floating state of library service in Sri Lanka. Defines these qualities as: aptitude; adaptation; retentive memory; scholarship; personality; efficient administration; ability to communicate; and current awareness. It stipulates a complete knowledge of the reference collection, integrity, fitness and a linguistic ability of the librarian. This study focusses descriptive characteristics as well as tacit advanced qualities of librarians selecting only eight past librarians in Sri Lanka. The information revealed by this research project would be useful for researchers, academics, students, University Community as well as administrators or Management Boards for future development plansItem Implications of Evolving and Use of Ancient Writing Systems up to the Invention of Paper.(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya,Sri Lanka., 2017) Nelunika, S.In the modern world writing systems have changed from traditional systems to modern technological and ICT based systems. One cannot overlook these rational systems owing to many factors like the beauty, historical and cultural value, and the implicit knowledge behind these writing systems. The purpose of this paper is to explore historical and chronological scenario of ancient writing systems to modern systems. The earliest ancestors did not have any idea of a writing system however they later used to write pictures about their feelings, thoughts and work they performed for expressing views and ideas. This communication system may be the foundation for earliest writing system. However with the rapidity of emerging subject like medicine, astronomy, asterism, useful arts, divine and later theology particularly religious knowledge they used oral tradition. With the promptness of developing these knowledge domain many educational establishments were introduced by the then society. Owing to many changes and effects there have been a threat to this oral tradition and with the growth of early civilizations systems different ancient writing systems also evolved. Approximately before six thousand years, the Mesopotamian founded way to writing. These river based civilization systems were Mesopotamian, Babylonian/ Sumerian – Yuppratries, River, TyGreece River, Assyrian, and Indu Civilization .Mesopotamian, Babylonian, Assyrian People found a way of writing on clay that was found in river banks. They found clay tablets. The first world map was drawn on the clay tablet.They carved in the rock surface by using hard tools or small rock pieces. But it’s not good with practically so they used stone boards they were useful for long time because damage is less than other materials. Since clay tables were difficult to be maintained the papyrus was found by Nile river bank which were grew well on wet zone. Egypt used Papyrus for stored knowledge. In Alexandria library which is famous for the largest library in the past world. There were about 700,000 papyrus rolls stored in that library. Vellum and Parchment were made by used animal skin. Vellum was made from skin of Sheep s and Goats. These animal skins were mostly use for writing valuable details like religious purposes and secrets documents because there were rare and exist for long time period. In Asian countries used bamboos and silk cloths because they didn’t have papyrus or animal s skin. But they realized it’s not suitable way and tried to find more and more alternatives. As the result of that Paper were found by Cai Lung in china. The inferences out of this study shown that the writing systems have evolved with causing several factors. The profound challengers and changers both human and environment have brought these writing systems from one to the other. Other thing that they have used their local resources and items available in nearby vicinity for different wiring systems and tools such as clay from river basin, bamboo from jungle and animal skin from their own homestead or from jungle.Item Contribution of Libraries in Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage: A Study Based on Selected Public Libraries in Ratnapura District(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Indrasena, W.S.S.There are two aspects in classifying the concept of cultural heritage. One is Tangible cultural heritage (TCH) the other is Intangible cultural heritage (ICH).Tangible cultural heritage comprised of physical items, artifacts and ancient remains. Traditional knowledge, Practices, folklore literary creations and human mental creations and designs belong to Intangible Cultural Heritage. Even though the UNESCO introduced a convention on this subjects, in 2003, still a national level well organization has not been instituted in Sri Lanka yet though some initiatives launched by the National Library and Documentation Services Board. Still important role has to be done by those organizations. The principal objective of this study was to investigate the contribution of libraries particularly the public libraries in preservation of ICH. In this context, study was conducted on the verbal tradition depicted in the folklore. 14 public libraries in Ratnapura district were used a study sample. It was found that all libraries only limited to routine a collection development and no any library involved in the expected task. This has happened owing to that librarians are unaware the importance of ICH and the contribution and the programs related to ICH by the National Library are not known by the librarians. The lack of knowledge and understanding in collection and preservation method related to these traditional swore by the librarians was the other reason. The other problems were that villagers did not recognize the value of ICH, there was no legal framework of preserving ICH and the scarcity of trained human resource and relevant technologies in collecting and preserving the ICH. Suggestions are to train the librarians in collection at preservation of ICH, to take the National Library full responsibility of leading, guiding, preparing legal framework, giving full publicity of the role and importance of preservation of ICH.Item Social Acceptance and Tenure of Library Profession in Sri Lanka: A Comparative Study with Special Reference to Public Libraries and University Libraries(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Ananda Tissa, R.D.; Weerasooriya, W.A.Library Profession has a history around 5000 years. Origin of library profession commenced in 19 century however, it was developed as a highly accepted profession in 20thcentury. There are several factors and characteristics to be defined as a profession. The Principal objective of this research is to study the social acceptance and status of library profession in public all university libraries in Sri Lanka. The other objectives are to examine the social acceptance of library profession in Sri Lanka, to explore the status of library profession in the institutional hierarchy, to identify the corelationship between the social acceptance and professional status, to identify the attitudes of the society toward the library profession and to investigate how social acceptance and status influencing the progress of library profession. Population was comprised of category 0lLawyers, Politicians, Students and Readers and the category 02 Doctors, University Lectures, Teachers, 200 trade professionals and the category 03 Librarians. Sample selected 300 representing category 01, 200 from category 02, and 100 Librarians from category 03, altogether c. 600 among total population. Cluster sampling technique used since the sample comprised of homogenous and heterogeneous categories and the collected data was analyzed using SPSS applying descriptive method of research. The findings were that meager social acceptance and status of library profession and libraries prevailed eventhough they provide quite satisfactory library service, under estimation and the value of communities towards the library services, inadequate knowledge and the access to information as well as the library services, unclear visibility of educational, research and world of work behavior of library professionals, pale and weaker attitudes and mentalities of library professionals and that there is an acute and concomitant influence from prevailing meager social recognitiontoward this social acceptance and status of a profession in Sri Lanka.Few policy suggestions are to improve the attitudes and response of authoritative, managerial, administrative politicalstakeholders including policy makers and the general public towards libraries, their services and library professionals by way of extending more public relations and cooperation extending the gravity and the visibility of library service among those categories. Within this context, establishment of a National Library and Information Science Commission (NAISC) and the drafting and the institutionalization of Sri Lanka National Library Services Manifesto (SNLSM) and making an effective and efficient library operation system and to formulate a unique recruitment, selection and job promotion policy based on skills, educational qualifications experience and professional competencies from lower to professionals staff level are few suggestions.Item Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) in Sri Lank: An overview(Department of Library and Information Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 2016) Amarakone, L.R.Sri Lanka is rich in Indigenous Knowledge (IK) as is the case in many developing countries in the South Asian Region. The island is yet to be taken proper mechanism to identify, record, protect Sri Lanka’s IK. The islands IK consists of different cultural heritages of main different communities. Therefore, there is a pressing need to establish a mechanism for identification and preserve IK in Sri Lanka and also it becomes a challenge due to Sri Lanka’s complex social, religious and political history that mixes Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Islam beliefs and also the influence of colonization that took place in the 18th century. As seen above this island’s IK consists of many different cultural heritages of above main communities. On the other hand, formation of a viable mechanism in order to identify, locate, record and protect IK in the island becomes crucial in the phase of redevelopment and reconciliation of communities which is ongoing at present. This paper highlights the great achievements obtained by Sri Lanka (then Ceylon) in the past history in the areas of Ayurveda, Agriculture, Astronomy, Architecture, Education and sustainability of Sri Lanka’s ecosystem and water management. It also attempts to observe how the Sri Lankan IK system was sufficient and relevant and also supporting in maintaining a balanced healthy, social interaction and how IK need to be researched and adapted to meet the current challenges faced by the island nation. At present Sri Lanka is facing problems of poverty, conflict, inadequate education facilities, damages made to the ecosystem, non-communicable diseases such as high-blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol which increase the financial allocations for the nation’s healthcare system. Hence this paper attempt to analyze the aforesaid issues and proposes that being Sri Lankans need to clearly understand our IK systems and adapt them wisely in order to face the challenges that we are facing today.