Study of the Usability of the Ceylon Collection: Main Library, University of Peradeniya

Abstract

There is a tremendous interest on the Ceylon Collection in the Main Library, University of Peradeniya among the user community. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to find out the effectiveness of the Ceylon Collection in terms of meeting information needs of the library users. Survey method was utilized for the study. The study sample was selected from different user groups from the Faculty of Arts who used the Ceylon Collection during a period of four months in the first semester of 2007/2008 academic year. The survey revealed that the Ceylon Collection is the most valuable collection in the Main Library. The majority of library users in the Faculty of Arts use this collection. Proper awareness has to be regularly created about the artifacts, microforms and special collections available in the Ceylon Collection to maximize their usage. The study revealed that the users are satisfied with the comprehensiveness of the collection. However, they were not satisfied with access tools, staff allocation, physical facilities etc.

Key words: Ceylon Collection, Sri Lanka Collection, User survey

Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka, Vol.13 (Special Issue). 2009 85-103