School Librarianship in the e-learning age: Challenges faced by the Sri Lankan School Librarians

Abstract

The emerging web based e- learning and teaching environment has influenced to each aspect of the library and information service in world wide. The information seeking behaviors of the students are converted digital context in e learning society. Traditional librarians are facing many challenges in selecting, acquiring and organizing information and providing access to them regardless their format with the web based information and communication technology, networked environment and multimedia facilities which are essential components in the e learning society. This research was carried out to identify the issues and challenges face by the Sri Lanka school librarians in the e learning age. Five leading schools located in the Colombo city which has partially implemented e learning system were selected as the sample for this research and data was collected using interviews, site visits and structured questionnaires. Most of school librarians in Sri Lankan are facing many stressful and pervasive issues and challenges in effectively managing of modern information needs of users, development of eresources collection and provide e information services according to the demand and new searching patterns of e learners. Refurbishing existing library premises with computer and networked facilities, digital collection and electronic information services to fulfill modern information needs with the limited infrastructure facilities and budget constraint also a great issue they faced. Inadequate knowledge and skills on electronic information services and tools, lack of trained manpower, weakness of organizational structure also found as challenges faced by them in e learning age. It is essential that School library professional enrich their knowledge and skills on emerging ICT tools, e resources and web based information services to provide effective library and information service in the e learning society.