User Education and its Present Status in University Libraries in Sri Lanka: An Overview

Abstract

The rapid development of information and communication technology (ICT), particularly internet, and the increasing development of user education forms and methods, such as new information literacy initiatives have resulted in significant changes in academic libraries. With these unprecedented changes, academic librarians in Sri Lanka have to deal with instructional processes more effectively and efficiently. The primary concern of this paper is to understand the concept 'user education' in the local context and its present practices in university libraries. Even more, this study intends to understand problems encountered, challenges being faced and potential new opportunities available on user education in university libraries in Sri Lanka. The total outcome of this paper is beneficial for researchers, policy makers, university authorities and academic librarians in Sri Lanka to understand the real situation which exists behind instructional activities of university libraries and to design, develop, implement policies and make strategies on pertinent subject.

Students’ perceptions of the user education programmes at a South African university

“…User education programmes have been largely documented in developed nations, with developing countries only recently emerging as contributors of knowledge in this subject domain (Wickramananyake, 2015a). Some of the countries where extensive studies on user education programmes have been made include England, the USA, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa.…”

“…Some of the countries where extensive studies on user education programmes have been made include England, the USA, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. Wickramananyake (2015a) stresses that these countries have evolved in terms of their methodology within the area of library science, and the development of the library as a profession. He further writes that other countries, categorized as underdeveloped or developing, have not taken substantial measures to record or study the historical development of user education.…”

“…Looking at the literature on user education, it is evident that there is still a need to review such programmes in terms of their effectiveness and relevance to users. But, most importantly, these programmes should be integrated into the university curriculum to make them compulsory for students to attend (Aderibigbe and Ajiboye, 2011; Agyen-Gyasi, 2008; Wickramanayake, 2015a).…”

“…This reflects the situation at Vaal Triangle Campus (VTC) at NWU, where the user education programme is not yet part of the university curriculum. To be more effective, user education programmes should be integrated into the curriculum and be a credit-earning course for undergraduate students (Aderibigbe and Ajiboye, 2013; Agyen-Gyasi, 2008; Wickramanayake, 2015a).…”

The Impact of Humor as A Teaching And Learning Strategy in The Literacy Skills Program on Increasing The Number of Visits to The Library of Universitas Sumatera Utara

“…Indeed, library and information literacy teaching is one of the most vital and highly valued services offered by academic libraries today. (Singh, 2010;Fernandez-Ramos, 2019;Wickramanayake, 2016;Fernandez-Ramos, 2019) In 2019 the USU Library opened an information literacy class for USU Academics, especially students and lecturers. The material taught in this literacy class is in the form of training on the use of the USU Library's online database and e-Journal and ebook training.…”