Abstract

Public libraries are a worldwide institution. They exist in different societies with different levels of growth and cultures. As they operate in different contexts, the service provided and the style of providing the service varies. Public library services should operate in a modern and appropriate manner, as indicated by the 2022 IFLA/UNESCO Public Library Performance Facts. Through this survey, it was studied that public libraries in Sri Lanka conduct their services based on the performance facts stated in this mission statement. In the study, the awareness of public librarians about the performance facts stated in the mission statement and the level of operation of these facts in public libraries were examined.  07 librarians of main public libraries under the 07 Pradeshiya Sabhas of Polonnaruwa district were used as the study sample. Questionnaires and open interviews were used to collect primary data and the secondary data were obtained using printed and electronic sources. According to the data of this survey, the awareness of the public librarians on the performance facts mentioned in the IFLA/UNESCO was at a minimum level. Libraries face several issues and challenges when they apply those performance facts for their services, such as staff training issues, physical problems, poor reader and staff attitude and further identified library services in the public library system of Sri Lanka are very minimally implemented. According to the survey data, among the public libraries selected as the sample, the level of awareness about IFLA/UNESCO public library performance facts is about 57%. 45% of library staff possessed degree or diploma qualifications in library science. As a result, they face many difficulties in providing their services that have greatly affected the service quality improvement. In order to successfully implement the IFLA/UNESCO performance facts for the public libraries, the library services offered by those libraries should be well planned and should implement international standards and guidelines.

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Abstract

Buddhist temples were the foundations of Sri Lankan old education system. The education of Sri Lanka which commenced at “Kalapprasada Pirivena” in Anuradhapura first, Developed as “Pirivena” subsequently. Piriven Library is the main information center for the Pirivena education process. The Piriven Libraries, which represent the academic libraries, are increasing the knowledge and skills of the students in various subjects and languages, and fulfill the teacher's academic information requirements. Accordingly, the problem of the research was, "Does the teachers use the Pirivena libraries effectively to explore the information need in order to make their teacing process a success?”.  The main objective of the study was to identify the use and usage patterns of pirivena library among teachers and other objectives was identifying the problems in relation with the usage of libraries.

The study based on the survey method and population of the study were all pirivena teachers in the western province. Stratified sample method was used to select the sample for the study. Primary data was collected by distribution of questionnaires under the stratified random sampling system among the respective teachrs. MS excel software was used to analyse the primary data obtained through the questionnaires.

It was revealed that, most of the teachers from the sample do not use libraries during their teacing process. The teacher who is maintaining Pirivene library had Lack of proper understanding of the library and the information services it provides. Suggestions were made to organize programs that positively influence the teachers about the importance of library use and by implementing, these can provide sustainable solutions for these issues. The institutions responsible for the library sector, including the Ministry of Education, the National Library must come forward for that.

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Abstract

In the course of human evolution, ever since humans began to live in groups, a culture and civilization have been built within them. The word "culture" has also been used to denote the intellectual and aesthetic formation of a society. In the early stages, culture meant the formation of the mind or the shaping of the mind. The late 18th through late 19th centuries saw the emergence and development of various conceptions related to culture. Here, culture first means a general condition or habit in the human mind. And the artistic and intellectual process is also known as "culture" in general. Culture does not refer to a specific development or polishing of a society, but rather to the entire social tradition or social heritage. Diversity and differences among people are seen in two ways. That is, based on physical characteristics as well as innate heritage or culture. Man has an innate heritage as well as a social heritage. Whatever genetic endowment a man receives, he is raised in his family from infancy. He learns from his family's manners and customs. Here, he learns the traditional practices of the society and acquires knowledge through experience and living. Every human society has a culture and its own wealth of knowledge. This study emphasizes the indigenous medicine related to the intangible cultural heritage of Sri Lankan society.

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