FACTORS AFFECTING PERFORMANCE OF CDS/ISIS IN LIBRARIES IN SRI LANKA

Abstract

CDS/ISIS a software program d i s t r i b u t e d by Unesco f o r use i n l i b r a r i e s and information centres was f i r st introduced to S r i Lankan l i b r a r i e s in mid 1980s. Majority of the l i b r a r i e s having computerized library operations are using CDS/IS IS software, which is a database management system meant for general a p p l i c a t i o ns i n information storage and r e t r i e v a l systems. Studies have revealed that many of the l i b r a r i e s that have received the software from the n a t i o n a l d i s t r i b u t o r are not using the software successfully to computerize l i b r a r y operations. Some of the reasons given are l a ck of s k i l l e d manpower, t r a i n i n g and l a c k of funds. This study revealed that the above reasons which are external to the software program but inherent in the l i b r a ry system and i t s r e l a t i o n s h i p with the t o t a l organization are contributory to t h i s s i t u a t i o n . Problems d i r e c t ly r e l a t e d to the program should be dealt with in a manner s u i t a b l e to the nature and extent of the problem. The r o l e of the national d i s t r i b u t o r should be strengthened so that i t i s capable of providing the necessary t e c h n i c a l support to the users and p o t e n t i a l users while p o l i c y makers and d e c i s i o n makers should be made aware of the need for computerizing l i b r a r i e s and information systems so that they provide the necessary resources to maintain the programs. Technology transfer can take place only i f the required environment for i t s adoption i s present. v