http://www.digital.lib.esn.ac.lk//handle/1234/17330 Proceedings of International Reserach Conference of the Library 2025 2026-04-15T02:48:33Z http://www.digital.lib.esn.ac.lk//handle/1234/17360 ASSESSMENT OF SPECIAL AND RARE COLLECTIONS: A STUDY OF SOUTH EASTERN REGIONAL LIBRARY & INFORMATION NETWORK (SERLIN) Mohammed Sajeeer, S. L This study examines the management and preservation of special and rare collections in the South Eastern Regional Library & Information Network (SERLIN) libraries in the Ampara district, Sri Lanka. The research explores key aspects such as acquisition, organization, access, preservation, and utilisation of rare materials. Employing a qualitative multiple case study approach, data was gathered through document analysis, interviews, observations, and questionnaires. The study sample comprised 50 Tamilspeaking librarians from university, public, school, and college libraries, selected through purposive sampling. Findings indicate that rare collections are primarily acquired through donations and occasional purchases, with no dedicated funding for acquisition or preservation. The absence of formal policies, insufficient preservation strategies, and limited public awareness pose significant challenges to effective management. Many rare materials, including manuscripts, letters, and personal diaries, exist in both print and electronic formats; however, digitization efforts remain restricted due to resource limitations. Furthermore, inadequate environmental controls and aging library infrastructures contribute to the deterioration of these valuable collections. The study aligns with global literature and reinforces several previously identified issues, such as underutilization of rare resources, the need for classification systems, staff training deficits, and the absence of preservation policies. Recommendations include the allocation of dedicated funding, implementation of standardized classification and preservation systems, development of new or upgraded facilities, public engagement initiatives, and staff recruitment and training in digitization and conservation. Furthermore, incorporating rare collection management into Library and Information Science curricula and fostering institutional collaboration are essential steps toward sustainable and accessible rare collection preservation. This research offers valuable insights for librarians, policymakers, and educators, emphasizing the urgent need for structured strategies to ensure the long-term viability and utility of rare collections in Sri Lanka’s library system. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://www.digital.lib.esn.ac.lk//handle/1234/17359 UNLOCKING SRI LANKA'S AGRICULTURAL POTENTIAL THROUGH REAL-TIME DATA INTEGRATION Vijayakumar, R; Sajanthan, K; Kesavan, Y; Visakaruban, M; Umashankar, L Despite employing over 30% of the workforce, Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector contributed merely 8.75% to the GDP in 2022, highlighting persistent challenges such as limited access to real-time data and inefficient resource management that constrain its growth and sustainability. This research seeks to address these issues and explore the potential of digital agriculture as a solution. To this end, this study aimed to identify the barriers to real-time agricultural data access in Sri Lanka and to assess digital farming solutions by adopting a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis from reviewing existing documents and qualitative insights from interviews with farmers and agricultural experts. The research findings reveal that only 35% of rural farmers use digital tools due to connectivity and literacy barriers, ultimately hindering agrarian productivity and income. Lack of access to real-time data, leading to suboptimal use of inputs, untimely harvests, and economic hardships, has increased economic vulnerability among farmers in Sri Lanka. Moreover, there is a disconnection between agricultural policies and their on-ground implementation, which has led to corruption, ineffective resource allocation and inadequate support for farmers. Digital agriculture solutions, including mobile apps, satellite data, digital marketing databases and portals, and precision farming tools, hold great potential for addressing these challenges. Based on the research findings, this study proposed key recommendations. First, there is a need to improve infrastructure and technological capabilities to ensure reliable and accessible real-time data for farmers. Second, digital literacy programs should be implemented to enhance farmers' understanding and utilization of digital agriculture tools. Third, collaboration between government agencies, agricultural stakeholders, and technology providers is crucial for effective implementation and sustainable financing models. Adopting recommended strategies can unlock Sri Lanka’s transformative potential of digital agriculture, fostering a more sustainable and prosperous agricultural sector. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://www.digital.lib.esn.ac.lk//handle/1234/17358 EXPLORING THE APPLICATION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN LIBRARIES: A SCIENTOMETRIC ANALYSIS Vijay, M; Surulinathi, M Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have influenced various domains, including library and information science. This study employs scientometric analysis to explore the research landscape on AI applications in libraries. By analysing a dataset comprising 126 scholarly publications from the Web of Science spanning 1989 to 2024, the study uncovered the emerging trends, influential authors, prominent journals, and collaborative networks within this domain. Furthermore, by examining highly cited works, the study highlighted their influential contributions and impact on shaping the discourse surrounding AI integration in library services and operations. The findings showed that the number of publications has increased, with an average annual growth rate of 4.04%. Remarkably, publication counts increased significantly in 2019, peaking in 2022 with 26 publications. The trending research topics are smart libraries, artificial intelligence, data mining and developing countries. The findings of this scientometric analysis provide valuable insights for librarians, researchers, and policymakers, informing future research agendas, facilitating knowledge exchange, and guiding strategic decision-making in leveraging AI technologies within the library context. This study will contribute to a better understanding of how AI can be applied in libraries, leading to more efficient, user-centric, and technologically enhanced library services. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://www.digital.lib.esn.ac.lk//handle/1234/17357 EVALUATION OF THE USAGE OF AI TOOLS FOR EDUCATION BY POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS AT BHARATHIDASAN UNIVERSITY Akkil, J; Amsaveni, N The rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in education has transformed traditional learning environments, offering innovative solutions to enhance student engagement, academic performance, and research productivity. This study investigates the awareness, usage patterns, and perceptions of AI-based educational tools among postgraduate (PG) students at Bharathidasan University, Tamil Nadu, India. Using a structured questionnaire distributed via Google Forms, data were collected from 173 PG and integrated PG students across diverse academic disciplines. The analysis focused on a wide range of AI tools across several functional categories: personalized learning platforms, classroom management software, research and academic support applications, content creation tools, collaboration and communication platforms, evaluation and feedback systems, study assistance tools, and generative AI assistants such as chatbots. Percentage-based statistical techniques were used to interpret the collected data. The findings indicate that while tools like ChatGPT, Grammarly, Canva, QuillBot, and Brainly are gaining significant traction among students, awareness and usage of other tools—such as Synthesia, Cognii, Ref-N-Write, and certain AI note-taking and coding platforms—remain limited. Students reported that AI tools assist in academic writing, content generation, learning support, and feedback processes, improving overall efficiency. However, concerns related to ethical use, data privacy, and excessive dependency on AI were also highlighted. The research concludes with a call for structured AI literacy initiatives, faculty training, and policy formulation to promote the ethical and effective integration of AI in academic environments. The study provides valuable insights for educational stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of institutional readiness and strategic implementation to maximize AI’s educational potential. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z