Adherence to Library Standards: An Appraisal of Grade I Public Libraries in the Western Province of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Grade I is the second-best type of libraries in the public library sector. The study reports the observations of a review team on compliance of libraries to the general quality standards. The objective of the paper is to feature some best practices as well as to highlight the few instances of noncompliance as a measure to assist improves the library functions. It was commendable to see assiduously built local collections and exhibitions, community services, and custom-built quick reference materials. Issues were identified in relation to accession numbers and accession registers, acquisitions, collection development, marketing of resources, organizing materials (especially fiction collections), authority control, and appointment of staff, adoption of the current public library bylaws, management reporting, and automation. The team of reviewers identified that many of these instances of noncompliance are involuntarily avoided in an automated library environment. Also, in some cases new standards should be introduced. Color coding of materials for classification is one such practice that needs to be standardized. It is proposed that Public Library Bylaws issued by the Provincial Councils should be updated to suit the present-day requirements. Also, it was proposed to update the current marking scheme for the appraisal of public libraries by the Department of Local Government, Western Province of Sri Lanka.