Where to from here? Current status of school libraries in Sri Lanka: a survey

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the present status of the school libraries in Sri Lanka that were not developed under the General Education Project 2 implemented during 1997-2005.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey was used to collect data from 135 school libraries drawn at random from two educational zones in Sri Lanka. The instrument included objective-oriented close-ended questions to be answered appropriately and analysis was done accordingly.

Findings

The majority of school libraries in Sri Lanka are run by less qualified school librarians with no professional librarianship qualification. Scarcity of appropriate library buildings, inadequate funding and lack of reading materials and other physical resources were common among the studied school libraries. Unavailability of dedicated timeslots within the school timetable for library and information skills sessions had significantly decreased the library usage by students. It was also found that school librarians had rather negative attitudes concerning their job.

Research limitations/implications

Neglecting other stakeholders and taking samples only from school librarians for the study and selecting only government schools by excluding private/international schools and monasteries (Pirivenas) created considerable limitation for the study.

Originality/value

This study derived significant findings which could be used to understand the reality of school libraries in Sri Lanka, and these findings could be used to overcome practical issues which may negatively affect school library development.

Citation

Wickramanayake, L. (2016), "Where to from here? Current status of school libraries in Sri Lanka: a survey", New Library World, Vol. 117 No. 3/4, pp. 214-228. https://doi.org/10.1108/NLW-10-2015-0073