Browsing by Author "Punchihewa, CND"

Now showing 1 - 13 of 13

item: Article-Full-text
Beyond the Boundaries: Remote Access to Online Resources at the University of Moratuwa Library
(2014-03-13) Punchihewa, CND; Kumara, ADB; Kiriella, KGAP
Though libraries have invested very high percentage of its annual budget to subscribe e-resources, limited attention was paid to ensure consistent and reliable access of those resources. Many library users access e-resources from outside of the University. Therefore many requests have been made to implement a remote access mechanism for e-resources. The objective of the study was to design a proper remote access mechanism to the users for accessing the e-resources provided by University of Moratuwa library. Publishers have provided access to e-resources through Internet Protocol (IP) authentication and not by user identity (user ID) and password. This kind of access created many problems to the users specially for the postgraduate students who do not visit the University regularly as many users need to access e-resources from anywhere, anytime. Using the concept of proxy server, a joint project was conducted between the Center for Information Technology Services (CITeS), University of Moratuwa and the library to provide remote access. Existing Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) was used to authenticate the user access. This allowed remote user to obtain regular, secure access to library e-resources.
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
Comparison of features of online journals and databases
Punchihewa, CND
The objective of the study was to examine and make a comparison of the features of online journals and databases available at the Library, University of Moratuwa during the year 2006. A total of nineteen online resources including nine online databases and ten online journals were examined. The systems were assessed under two criteria, the user friendliness and the functionality. The user friendliness features were assessed under the design of the web pages and the type of the interface, personalisation and database selection. Access and retrieval of information, results manipulation and availability of help menu were considered under the functionality features. Boolean operators, phrase searching, field specific searching, wildcard and truncation were observed as common retrieval features. The interpretation and implementation of these features were different among the systems. The greatest differences were found in the area of query formulation. Lateral searching, reference links and searching with table of contents were identified as the unique features.
item: Article-Full-text
Comparison of the subscription cost of print and online periodicals and their usage at the University of Moratuwa library
(2013-11-01) Punchihewa, CND
The objective of the study was to explore the use of different periodical materials recommended by academic members of the University of Moratuwa against the subscription cost per use for each periodical title. The subscription costs & usage statistics related to the periodical titles subscribed in 2010 were analyzed with respect to the period, February to July 2010. The case study method was adopted in this study. The analysis confirmed that online databases have the lowest subscription cost per use and online + print journals have the highest subscription cost per use. The zero usage of periodicals, especially online materials, raises many questions regarding the periodical recommendations of academic members for their subject fields. The library should maintain a close and collaborative relationship with the departments and new introductory programmes should be designed to increase the awareness of the periodicals of the library users. Providing the facility for the remote access of online materials was another important factor to increase the usage level.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Digital repository of University of Moratuwa library
(2013-11-06) Gamage, RCG; Punchihewa, CND; Kumara, ADB
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: Conference-Abstract
Open source software adoption for library management; issues and challenges
(2015-11-30) Punchihewa, CND; Kumara, ADB
Though there are different kinds of Integrated Library Management Systems (ILMS) available, introduction of Open Source Software (OSS) has proved to be fruitful. KOHA is the mostly used open-source integrated library management system around the world. Recently University of Moratuwa migrated from a proprietary system to KOHA. Social & technical barriers faced in the process is discussed here. Developing new features in KOHA to be compatible with the existing features in the proprietary system had been the biggest challenge met by the researchers. High implementation cost, annual maintenance fee, obtaining frequent updates, and uprising new requirements are the problems in using a proprietary system. Emphasizing the need of new system to the staff, installation and testing parallel to the existing system, and data migration were the main challenges faced. University of Moratuwa Library was able to handle all these challenges and is sticking into a slow, but steady migration schedule. It is concluded that migration to a new ILMS is a challenging and a risky task. However, it is not impossible to do, especially when the new system is open source. That gives the implementing organisation to customise with ease, to suit local needs. However, having ready-access to IT expertise is a necessity.
item: Conference-Extended-Abstract
Remote access to online resources at University of Moratuwa
(2013-11-09) Punchihewa, CND; Kumara, ADB; Kiriella, KGAP
Access to online journals, bibliographic databases, online catalogues and the Internet have altered the traditional library usage patterns, behaviors and expectations of modern library users over the last few decades. Online searching has become the norm and users always expect Google or Wikipedia style access to the library resources. Libraries should have a mechanism for supporting these expectations and behaviors to provide a quality customer service and to fulfill their mission to support teaching, learning and research.
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.
item: E-Book-Chapter
Transaction log analysis for exploring search patterns of the OPAC users of University of Moratuwa
(2021) Punchihewa, CND; Kumara, ADB; Wijetunge, P; Alahakoon, CNK
This transaction log analysis study aimed to identify the searching behaviour, searching patterns and causes of search failures of the patrons with the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) of the University of Moratuwa. Further, this study could guide implementing various changes to improve the Library Management System (LMS) and its OPAC, re-structure the library's user education programmes, and identify the necessary adjustments required for different types of library services. The OPAC transaction log contained 95,340 records for three months (from August to October 2019) and was analysed statistically using multivariate techniques. Two kinds of transaction logs were identified in this study. It was considered 68,618 records as non-logged transactions and 9,592 records as logged transactions. According to the results of the study, the average number of transactions per month was 26,070. The average number of non-logged transactions per month was 22,873, and the average logged transactions per month was 3,197. Results of the study have evidenced that the patrons highly preferred the simple search interface over the advanced search interface. The keyword search was the most popular searching option of the patrons in simple search, and many filtering options offered in the advanced search interface were underutilised. The study results have forced the library to redesign its user education programmes to provide better awareness, knowledge, and skills for patrons in handling OPAC. The library should regularly emphasise OPACs features and advantages among the students using various promotional activities such as user awareness workshops, leaflets, discussion forums or chat services, etc. The functionality and design of the OPAC should be reformed to satisfy the patrons and their information needs.
item: Thesis-Abstract
Usage of online databases and user perceptions towards the facilities provided: A case study at University of Moratuwa
(2013-11-07) Punchihewa, CND; Jayasuriya, S
In the past the main role of the libraries was ownership and storage. But today it has been replaced by accessibility and availability of materials. Developments of these new services mainly depended on the feedback of the end users. Therefore, conducting of user surveys was very important to obtain the exact situation of the library services. There were two aims of this case study. First aim was to present a comparison and an evaluation of user interfaces and the functionality of web based e-journals and databases. The second aim of the study was to find out the extent of accepting electronic journals and databases by the users. The objectives of the study were to explore the use of online databases, the user perception towards online databases, user satisfaction with facilities provided by the library for using online resources and the factors that affect the usage of these resources. Data for the study was obtained from the usage statistical reports (provided by the vendors) and the user survey. The participants of the user survey were drawn from four categories of the University, academic staff members, postgraduate students, undergraduate students and students of Institute of Technology - University of Moratuwa (ITUM). Total of 400 participants were selected for the survey. Online journal and database features were analyzed according to pre-defined guidelines based on user friendliness and functionality. Many similarities and few differences were found among the features of electronic journals and databases. The main difference was found in the area of query formulation. Common retrieval features included Boolean operators, phrase searching, match of exact words or phrases, truncation and wildcard characters. Interpretation and implementation of these features had differences among the online journals and databases.
item: Article-Full-text
Use of online journals and databases: A case study based on University of Moratuwa
Punchihewa, CND; Jayasuriya, S
The objective of this case study was to explore the use of online databases, user perception towards online databases, user satisfaction with facilities provided by the library for using bnline resources. The participants of the user survey were dawn from four categories of the University; academic staff members, postgraduate students, undergraduate students and students of Institute of Technology - University of Moratuwa (TTUM) . Total of 400 participants were selected for the survey. Analysis confirmed that frequency of use of electronic databases have been restricted only to few data bases (Blackwell Synergy, Science Direct and Wiley Inter Science). Relatively a lesser usage level was observed for the online journals compared to print journals. User groups have satisfied with the programmes conducted for promoting online resources. They have highlighted different areas that should be improved by the library. Providing printing facility and offering remote access facility were main requests of the users. Academic members and postgraduate students had higher online resource usage than the undergraduate students and ITUM students. The major problems examined within the study included, lack of computer and Internet facilities, lack of awareness to electronic resources provided by the library, ineffective communication channels, and irrelevancy of articles in the provided databases and inefficient support of the library.