Identification of problems faced by university libraries in the process of automation: with special reference to the libraries of Moratuwa and Colombo Universities

The main objective of this study was to identify the problems faced by the University of Moratuwa library and the University of Colombo library in the process of automation. In achieving this objective, the study aimed to identify the software packages used by the two libraries and available modules in them; to find out the availability of infrastructure, hardware and financial facilities in the two libraries; to identify the progress made by two libraries in automation; to identify the attitude of the staff of the two libraries towards library automation; to identify the attitude of the university management towards library automation; to identify the solutions suggest by the two libraries to overcome the problems in automation. Survey method was used to identify the problems and interviews have been conducted with the two librarians and the departmental heads of the two libraries to collect data. The Survey revealed that two libraries surveyed face several problems such as inadequacy of infrastructure and hardware, problems in the software, lack of trained and skilled staff and lack of funds. The study makes recommendations to overcome these problems and achieve successful automation.