Current Status of Public Libraries in Vavuniya District, Sri Lanka: An Overview of Their Resources, Challenges and Roles in Providing Services to Society

Abstract

Itis believed that libraries contribute to societal democratization in developing countries. The verses in Public Library Manifesto published in 1947 by IFLA, which emphasize that human values are sustained in democratic society where free and unlimited access to information, knowledge, thoughts, and culture are ensured through the establishment of public libraries (UNESCO 1994, in Ignatow et al, 2012). North and East of Sri Lanka experienced a civil war over a period of 30 years. End of war in 2009 has tremendous effects on economic and social development of the North and Eastern strips of the country. Vavuniya is no exception to enjoy peace in uplifting socio-economic wealth along with literacy level. Vavuniya District is located in the northern province of Sri Lanka and covers a land area of 1966.9 Sq. km. It has boundaries shared with Mullaitivu, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee and Mannar Districts. The district has a population of 182,957 (Vavuniya District Secretariat, 2011). In this regard, public libraries in Vavuniya District had noticeable influence in restoring stability in inhabitants’ lives that was shattered during the war. Their proactive roles in reaching potential user communities and grass root level of society will ensure social democratization and literary wealth. A community that is well-informed and literate will easily overcome obstacles and challenges when it commutes to achieve goals of socio-economic development and healthy environment. The current study tries to understand the present status of public libraries in the district, a survey, equipped with structured questionnaire and interviews was used to collect data. There are ten (10) public libraries, where around forty-five (45) library staff are employed. Since the population itself is small in number, no sampling was adopted. Therefore, librarians who are in-charge of public libraries were administered with structured questionnaires, whereas long-time users and retired public librarians were interviewed.