Abstract:
The o b j e c t i v e of the study is to present a framework for the
development of an information network in the e d u c a t i o n sector in Sri
L a n k a . The s t u d y is based on a s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d among 36 l i b r a r i es
in the e d u c a t i o n sector. The s t u d y examines the present s t a t u s of
l i b r a r i e s and draws attention to t h e i r d r a w b a c k s . Such as nona
v a i l a b i l i t y of a p r o f e s s i o n a l staff, inadequate f i n a n c e s , law p r i o r i ty
g i v e n to l i b r a r i e s . In o r d e r to overcome t h e s e s h o r t c o m i n g s , the s t u dy
p r o p o s e s an information network to be setup within the education
s e c t o r . The s t u d y i d e n t i f i e s NIE as the c o - o r d i n a t i n g c e n t r e of the
i n f o r m a t i o n network based on a s e p a r a t e s u r v e y c o n d u c t e d on the
r e s o u r c e s , s e r v i c e s , f a c i l i t i e s and u s e r s of the NIE. In terms of the
l i b r a r y r e s o u r c e s manpower, u s e r s t h e s t u d y s u g g e s t s that NIE is most
a p p r o p r i a t e i n s t i t u t e to c o - o r d i n a t e the a c t i v i t i e s of the information
n e t w o r k . The s t u d y p r o v i d e g u i d e l i n e s in the implementation of the
i n f o r m a t i o n network.
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