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.
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