Abstract:
In relation to quality of education, academic libraries are expected to supply reliable and
up to date scholarly information. In this connection, a preliminary survey was conducted
in 26 school libraries (known as School Library and Learning Resource Centres (SLLRCs))
attached to the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, in view of strengthening SLLRCs as
learning resource centres. Libraries in the schools selected through purposive sampling
were assessed based on a checklist prepared for the purpose and Key-Informant
Interviews (KIIs) conducted with the respective school principal, library in-charge and
students. Results revealed that 27% of the SLLRCs are functioning with inadequate
physical resources. Further, compared to printed materials, electronic, audiovisual and
other non-print resources are very limited. Scarcity of funding and qualified human
resource, non-availability of library policy and procedure manual, and lack of support
from school community are also observed. Hence, it is recommended that school
administrations should consider SLLRC as an integral component of the education system
and explore the funding opportunities, collaborate with other libraries in the region,
improve the human resource status, and enhance the involvement of school community
in the development of SLLRCs. In addition, Provincial Ministry of Education (NP) should
take necessary steps to establish a School Library Development Unit (SLDU) to strengthen
the SLLRCs as a centre for resource-based learning and information literacy development.
