Abstract:
Digitization is the present hot topic in the library and information profession in
Sri Lanka. However, almost all the librarians of Sri Lanka talks about automation of the
library activities until last few years. Lot of guidelines and procedures for the library
collections have developed in the field of digitization over a period of last few years in
the world. However, for variety of reasons, digitization of library materials in Sri Lanka
is fraught with many difficulties. Several workshops, training programs have already
been launched to introduce digitization for libraries in Sri Lanka at present time.
However, building a good library digital collection is a challenging task for libraries.
This study describes some digitization initiatives in university library and special library
sectors in Sri Lanka.
This study attempts to understand and compare the present situation in
digitization of library resources. The main aim of this study was to find out the current
and planned digitization practices; obstacles and potentials, policies in use, digitization
objectives, materials being digitized, nature of the digital content, funding sources and
collaborative activities and to introduce suggestions which can be used to improve the
current situation of digitization in university libraries and special libraries in Sri Lanka.
Structured questionnaire was used as the main instrument for gathering of data
from the sample. A total of 73 libraries were selected in this study. 35 university libraries
and 38 special libraries were selected and questionnaires were sent to librarians of each
selected library in order to gather data from them. However, 54 survey responses were
received. 28 special libraries out of 38 had responded to the questionnaires while the
university libraries respondent rate was 26 out of 35. The overall response rate to the
survey was 74%.
