Browsing by Author "Kodikara, RC"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6

item: Article-Full-text
Beyond the walls: Outreach initiatives in Library, University of Moratuwa
(2015-06-22) Kodikara, RC; Seneviratne, TM; Punchihewa, CND
Outreach librarianship – a concept which had a history of more than 40 years - has been diversely used in libraries all over the world as well as in Sri Lanka. Outreach Librarianship is aimed to reach out to traditional and non-traditional library users, extending beyond the walls of a physical library to serve underprivileged communities. Establishment of Outreach Services Division in Library, University of Moratuwa has fulfilled a long felt need to serve the community living in the vicinity of University of Moratuwa. “Child Development Programme” at Sumudu Preschool located in the University premises and “Reading Camp” at BodhirajaVidyalaya, Katubedda, Moratuwa are two outreach initiatives that the staff of Library, University of Moratuwa are currently engaged in. This paper describes the accomplishment of these two outreach initiatives through management of physical and human resources without an outreach budget.
item: Article-Full-text
Effects of the processing time of recommended materials and their usage on the relevancy to the course curriculum
Punchihewa, CND; Kodikara, RC
The objective of the present study was to explore the use of materials recommended by the academic members of the University of Moratuwa, identifying the effects of the processing time of the materials on the usage. The circulation statistics of materials ordered during 2007 were analyzed by user categories, year of publication and processing time. Analysis confirmed that frequency of use of materials had no relation with the processing time even though the processing time of the materials was not in a satisfactory level. Zero usage of some materials has created many questions on the recommendations of the academic members. Year of publication of the materials has a direct impact on the usage. The collaboration between the library and the faculties should be further strengthened. Faculties of the University should decide to obtain the assistance of the library academics in designing of courses for different departments of the university.
item: Article-Full-text
Library Automation at University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka
(2015-09-01) Kodikara, RC; Punchihewa, CND
Today, many service oriented organizations like libraries have focused on enhancing their customer service strategies in collaboration with modern developments in technology. Therefore introduction and use of new technology is becoming a common part in modern libraries. This technological introductions to the libraries have made a complete change in all traditional library processes and services. Not only the technology has affected to make impressive improvements in library services but also it has streamlined the library operations. Enhancing image of library and librarians, introducing and promoting of new library services, creating a social learning environment within the library etc. were some of the aspects in library automation projects. The purpose of this paper is to present experiences, problems and solutions experienced during the automation project at University of Moratuwa library. This covers introduction of new integrated library system, migration from one system to another and the technical perspectives of the process of library automation. Automation was introduced to Sri Lankan university libraries in 1987 as a result of proposal provided to University Grant Commission (UGC). University of Moratuwa library started its automation entering catalogue data using CDS/ISIS in 1981 and in year 2000, Libsys software package was installed as a complete integrated library system.
item: Article-Full-text
Plagiarism amongst research students in the University of Moratuwa (UoM) in Sri Lanka
(2015-07-21) Kodikara, RC; Kumara, ADB
Plagiarism has become a major issue in learned societies with the advent of sophisticated software and information via digital media, though the scholars should practice qualities of honesty, ethics and professionalism. Under this circumstance, it is obligated to explore the concerns on plagiarism in the University' of Moratuwa (UoM) as information professionals. Therefore, this research focuses on investigating the state of affairs about plagiarism of the research students in the UoM. The survey research strategy was adapted and a structured questionnaire was distributed among 181 stratified random sample of final year students and the postgraduate students in the UoM. Results reveal that even though most of research students suppose that they are knowledgeable about plagiarism, they do not have a complete knowledge of plagiarism. Further the eight significant factors affecting plagiarism were extracted using the principal component analysis. The key factor to lead plagiarism was the lack of awareness about plagiarism. Therefore, the recommendations were composed to make research students aware of plagiarism via specific programs.
item: Article-Full-text
Research commons: bringing research support activities of the University of Moratuwa to the next Ievel
(Nine Publishing, 2021) Seneviratne, TM; Kodikara, RC
Research Commons is a dedicated library spaceforresearchers. Research Commons in libraries is important to develop research culture in the university environment. The authors surveyed all academic staffofthe University ofMoratuwa to review the current status ofthe research support activities offered by the university library. The objectives ofthis survey were to: investigate the usage and importance of current research support services andfind out the significance ofsome proposed research support services. The research questionnaire was developed after conducting a pilot study among eminent researchers and focus group interviews with the library academics. According to their importance to the research activities ofacademic staff members, current library services and new library services were ranked using average weightedscores. Access to onlinejournals and databases, Plagiarism check, and electronic document delivery services are the library's most important current research support activities. Open access services, research impact assessment services, and assistance in scholarly publishing are the most important jnew research support services planned by the library. Since the ranking of the proposed services with the average weighted score provides an understanding of ;existing demand or the need among academics, it is essential to prepare a schedule 1forimplementingfollowing the strategic goals ofthe University ofMoratuwa.
item: Article-Full-text
Students’ perception towards the library user education programmes of the University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka: A Case Study
Punchihewa, CND; Kiriella, KGAP; Kumara, ADB; Kodikara, RC
Library, University of Moratuwa has identified the importance of acquiring the user perception on different user education programmes offered by the library. The objective of this case study was to assess the students’ perception and examine the impact of the user education programmes conducted. 'Library Orientation and Tour', 'Information for Research', 'Research and Plagiarism' and 'How to do Referencing' are the library user education programmes considered in this study. The participants were the undergraduate and postgraduate students, who have participated in the library user education programmes during 2014-2015. A user survey method was adopted in this study. Considering the size of the student group, 30% of the total population (188) randomly selected for the study and online structured questionnaire was used to collect data. Results revealed that library user education programmes helped 98.7% of the students to obtain the awareness of library resources and services. In addition, more than 98% of the students claimed that library user education programmes support for their academic works. The study also highlighted the importance of continuing the library user education programmes in building research skills among the students to develop the research culture in the university.