Challenges Encounter by the Librarians of Developing World in Providing Library Services to Support Open and Distance Learning: the Open University of Sri Lanka Library Experience

Anusha Wijayaratne
Library, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Nawala, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka

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     Last modified: July 27, 2006
     Presentation date: 10/31/2006 2:15 PM in NT Trelawny
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Abstract
Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), which was established in 1980 and celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, is the pioneer distance learning institution in Sri Lanka. In a country where the traditional university system can accommodate only around 20% of eligible students, the role that is expected to be played by the OUSL, as country’s leading distance learning institution is enormous. The recent challenges brought about by both the changing nature of information access and the phenomenal impact of ICT on libraries have been considerable for a small library with limited resources and affiliated to the premier distance learning institution of a tiny island in the Indian Ocean. This paper provides an overview of the efforts that the library of Open University of Sri Lanka carried out over the years to fulfill the needs of its clientele and keep track of modern technological developments to enhance the library service. This paper will focus particularly on the library automation project, which is considered to be one of the most successful automation project in the country, the newly established digital library services and the RFID security control and library management system that is hoped to be installed in near future.