Library and Information Science

A Study of Information Needs and Information Seeking Behaviour of Senior Secondary School Students Zonal Education Office, Vavuniya North, Sri Lanka

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A Study of Information Needs and Information Seeking Behaviour of Senior Secondary School Students Zonal Education Office, Vavuniya North, Sri Lanka Shanmugathasan, S. This study examines the information needs, information-seeking behaviour, and library usage of senior secondary school students in the Zonal Education Office, Vavuniya North. A quantitative research approach with a descriptive survey design was employed to investigate how students’ access and use information for academic and personal purposes. The study population consisted of 487 students from four schools, representing different grades and academic streams. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s sampling method, a stratified random sample of 214 students was selected. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and the responses were analyzed using SPSS. Ethical standards, including voluntary participation and confidentiality, were maintained throughout the study. The findings reveal that students primarily seek information related to academic activities, entertainment, general knowledge, current affairs, and daily life. Websites, social media, and noticeboards were identified as the most frequently used information sources due to their accessibility and convenience. Although school libraries are mainly used for reading and studying, their usage remains limited. Several barriers affecting effective information seeking were identified, including outdated library systems, limited borrowing facilities, slow internet connectivity, and inadequate ICT skills among students. The study highlights the important role of school libraries in supporting students’ learning and information needs. It recommends improvements such as implementing digital cataloguing systems, enhancing internet access, providing information literacy and ICT training, and increasing awareness of available library resources. These measures would improve students’ access to information and promote more effective information-seeking behaviour.

User Perception of Academic Library Service Quality: A Special Reference to University of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

User Perception of Academic Library Service Quality: A Special Reference to University of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka Shanmugathasan, S. The Study “User Perception of Academic Library Service Quality: A Special Reference to University of Vavuniya” investigated the relationship among Place for Learning, Library Services, Library Resources, and Library Staff. A standardised questionnaire with a Likert scale was used to collect data from 214 respondents, who included students and academic staff. The majority of users frequently visit the library and rely on electronic devices to access information, according to descriptive analysis. With the exception of Library Resources (α = 0.428), reliability tests revealed that the majority of variables had good internal consistency (α > 0.7). Strong positive correlations between all of the studied variables were shown via correlation analysis. The findings suggest that improvements in the physical learning environment, quality of library services, staff support, and resource availability collectively enhance user perception of library service quality. This study provides valuable insights for academic libraries seeking to optimize user experience and foster effective learning and research environments.

The Influence of Career Development on Organizational Performance: The Mediating Role of Job-Related Attitudes among University Library Professionals of Sri Lanka

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

The Influence of Career Development on Organizational Performance: The Mediating Role of Job-Related Attitudes among University Library Professionals of Sri Lanka Shanmugathasan, S. Career development is a critical human resource practice that ensures the professional growth and retention of employees while supporting organizational success. In the context of university libraries, career development opportunities play a pivotal role in shaping the job-related attitudes of library professionals, which in turn influence institutional performance. This study aims to examine the impact of career development on organizational performance, with job-related attitudes acting as a mediating factor. Literature has been reviewed to cover all the variables depicted in the conceptual model, with theories, quotations and research findings in the appropriate places supporting the arguments. A quantitative approach and structured questionnaire were administered to 146 library professionals across seventeen state university libraries in Sri Lanka, with 132 valid responses (90%) collected. Findings reveal that career development initiatives significantly influenced job-related attitudes (β=0.423, p < 0.000, R2= 0.179), and organizational performance (β=0.220, p =0.005). Job-related attitudes significantly influenced organizational performance (β=0.494, p < 0.000) with integrated describing for 38.4% of the variation R2 0.384. The findings reveal that Career development has a significant positive impact on library professionals' organizational performance, both directly and indirectly through job-related attitudes about their work. Overall the study explores that providing career development programs and encourages job related attitudes are two major strategies for enhancing organizational performance in University Libraries.

Exploring the Challenges of Information Seeking Behaviour Among Students: A Special Reference to Vavuniya South Zonal Education Office, Sri Lanka

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Exploring the Challenges of Information Seeking Behaviour Among Students: A Special Reference to Vavuniya South Zonal Education Office, Sri Lanka Shanmugathasan, S. The study “Exploring the Challenges of Information Seeking Behaviour Among Students: A Special Reference to Vavuniya South Zonal Education Office (VSZE), Sri Lanka” investigated the relationship among Information Challenges (IC), Information Resources (IR) and Information Seeking Behaviour (ISB) among 235 students. The purpose of the study was to find out how information barriers affect students' information-seeking behaviour and how information resources that affect effective information access. Random sampling method was used to choose the sample from the population, the structured questionnaires were used to collect data, and reliability, regression, and correlation analyses were performed to look at the findings. Reliability analysis revealed that the measures of Information Challenges (α = 0.701), Information Resources (α = 0.784), and Information Seeking Behaviour (α = 0.738) were sufficiently consistent for research purposes. According to correlation analysis, there was significant correlation between Information Challenges and Information Seeking Behaviour (r = -0.035, p < .008), while there was a strong positive association between Information Resources and Information Seeking Behaviour (r = 0.303, p < .001). The findings show that the availability and accessibility of information resources are crucial in encouraging students' information-seeking behaviour, but the difficulties they confront do not significantly hinder their attempts. Based on these findings, the VSZE Office should strengthen information resources, establish information literacy training, increase accessibility and assistance, and routinely monitor and assess services to guarantee effective utilisation. The study emphasises the relevance of well-organised, easily available information resources in assisting students' learning and academic activities.