http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/139 2026-10-21T19:53:20Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13187 Title: Scholarly Communication of the University of Jaffna: A Case Study on Research Repository (2013 – 2020) Authors: Balakumaran, L.; Pratheepan, T.; Chandrasekar, K. Abstract: Institutional Repositories (IRs) have emerged as an alternative channel for the dissemination and communication of scholarly works. IR is a digital collection of an institution’s intellectual output, which provides global visibility for institutional research production and uplifts the institutional profile in global webometrics. Among the two Institutional repositories (http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/ and http://repo.jfn.ac.lk/med/) maintained by the University of Jaffna, the IR created in the name of Research Repository (RR) is only considered for this study, as it comprises the scholarly output of the entire university community. The main objective of this study is to assess the distribution and magnitudes of research publications available in the RR of the University of Jaffna, in view of identifying the problems related to RR management and propose appropriate strategies to enhance the visibility of research output of the University of Jaffna. This case study adopted a descriptive research design with a participatory approach. The data were collected via literature analysis, semi-structured interviews, internet analysis, and content analysis of the respective repository. Since the RR function as a platform for university academics and researchers to host their research publications, this study assessed the number of research publications published and uploaded in the RR during the study period (2013-2020). The study revealed that a total of 5724 Scholarly documents were published during the study period, and among them, only 16.19% (n=927) of the research publications have been deposited and accessible in the RR. Moreover, the highest number of deposits were made by the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Agriculture (n=304, 16.32%), followed by the Faculty of Engineering (n=302, 16.21%) and Faculty of Business studies (n=236, 12.67%). It was also observed that 20,820 visits were made to this repository during the study period from several countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, Germany and Sri Lanka. Concerning the number of visits made to different communities, the Faculty of Agriculture is the highly visited community with 14% (n= 3005) hits, followed by the Faculty of Science with 13% (n= 2748) hits. However, lack of awareness and enthusiasm of the faculty members to submit their publications, insufficient support from the faculties, inadequate infrastructure, and human resource facilities were identified as some of the challenges with regard to the management of RR. The study recommended conducting frequent awareness programs for faculty members, incorporating scholarly publications available in the IR maintained by the Faculty of medicine into RR, developing policies on RR, employing marketing strategies to popularize RR, and encouraging the involvement of library professionals in RR management 2022-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13172 Title: Community empowerment activities of public libraries in Jaffna District Authors: Sritharan, T.; Balakumaran, L.; Chandrasekar, K. Abstract: Public libraries are community hubs that host a variety of programmes for all ages in the community. Outreach activities in public libraries are an important aspect of their goals to support the community. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to examine the nature, implementation, and challenges of outreach activities conducted by public libraries in the Jaffna District and propose strategies for enhancing their effectiveness in community engagement. There are 60 public libraries in Jaffna District and all were selected for this survey. The structured questionnaire was used as a study instrument. Forty libraries responded at the rate of 66.7%. Data were analyzed using SPSS. According to the results 36 libraries engaged in conducting outreach activities. A variety of activities are conducted, and among them school visits (n=34) predominate, followed by mobile library services (n=31) and competitions for students (n=31). The school students are the main target group for conducting outreach activities. In 42.5% of these public libraries, 2-3 staff members are involved in conducting the outreach activities, while 22.5% of the libraries mentioned that only one staff member is involved in conducting outreach activities. For 30 public libraries the local government is the major supporting body, and other supporting bodies are reader circle (n=22), library staff (n=22) and library advisory board (n=17). Among the participated libraries, 65% of the libraries accepted that outreach activities have an impact on community development. Three (03) libraries mentioned that they are not sure whether outreach activities have an impact on community development. The challenges faced by the libraries are financial restrictions, inadequate staff, lack of transport facilities, low public interest and no training. Very useful suggestions were made by the public libraries to enhance the quality of outreach activities. Based on the results, this study recommends that efforts be made to identify funding sources to support outreach activities, libraries should be manned with adequate human resources, transport facilities for these services should be provided by the respective local authorities, and training programmes for public librarians need to be organized with the support of national level library organizations and Higher Educational Institutions. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13151 Title: Reading habits of children using public libraries in Jaffna District, Sri Lanka Authors: Sandaresee, S.; Chandrasekar, K. Abstract: Reading habit is one of the most essential elements of an individual's personal and intellectual development. If the habit of reading is inculcated in the childhood, it would help in enhancing knowledge, skills, imagination and creativity among children. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the reading habit of children utilizing public libraries in the Jaffna District, with the intension of enhancing the quality of services provided by the public libraries for children within the district. The descriptive survey research method was adopted. The participants were randomly selected from the list of active members (between the age group 3-14) of the public libraries (n=60) in the Jaffna District. At few instances, purposive sampling technique also employed. A self- administered structured questionnaire was distributed to the selected participants (n=458) ensuring the diversity in the participants pool, in relation to sex, age and locality. The Jaffna, Valikamam, Thenmaradchchi, Vadamaradchchi, and Islands area served as the study's base. The duly completed questionnaires received were analyzed quantitatively (using SPSS version 21) and qualitatively (using NVivo version 12). Out of 458 questionnaires distributed, 370 were returned, with the response rate of 80.78%. The study sample comprised 183 (49.5%) females and 187 (50.5%) males, within the age range of 3-14 years and covering entire geographical area of the Jaffna District. The findings revealed that 87.8% of the respondents prioritized reading as their leisure activity. Among the respondents, 94.6% expressed their interest in reading books, 54.3% preferred to spend 1-2 hours per day for reading. Further, the majority of the respondents expressed a preference for reading story books, in addition, showed interest in children's magazines and newspapers. Moreover, 59.5% of the respondents preferred reading materials in multiple formats. For the majority of respondents' favorite place for reading is home, followed by public libraries. The primary purpose for visiting the public libraries is borrowing library materials (66.8%), and searching for required reading material carried out with the support of library catalogues, assistance from library staff, browsing through bookshelves, etc. Considering the accessibility, 93.8% of respondents live within 10 Km radius from a public library. With regard to library facilities for children in the public libraries of Jaffna, collection, shelf arrangement, lending and reference services, opening hours, library environment, and the staff assistance are not up to the level of users' expectation, which was measured by using 4-point Likert scale. Besides, more than 50% of the survey participants expressed satisfaction with the library programs. However, library programs such as storytelling, reading promotion and reader development, reading clubs, and language classes were rated poor. The study identified insufficient reading materials, language issues (e.g., lack of books in Tamil, level of English language proficiency), lack of time, overloaded with schoolwork, absence of a conducive reading environment, and lack of diversity in children's literature as major obstacles related to reading habits of children. The study suggests adopting a comprehensive approach to foster reading habits and literacy in children. This approach would include parental involvement, the establishment of libraries in rural regions, enhancing children's library resources and facilities, promoting reading through competitions, raising awareness about the importance of reading, reducing academic pressures such as tutoring, and allocating more time for leisurely and enjoyable reading. Implementing these measures could be instrumental in achieving the goal of this study. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://repo.lib.jfn.ac.lk/ujrr/handle/123456789/13150 Title: Media coverage of water security issues in the water-stressed Northern Province of Sri Lanka: An explorative study of three Tamil dailies before and during the pandemic Authors: Rubini, S.; Chandrasekar, K.; Kumarendran, B.; Raguram, S.; Sriskandarajah, N. Abstract: Media's role in influencing and reflecting public opinion, providing environmental awareness, and stimulating public participation is on the increase as environmental information becomes widely acknowledged and protection and conservation of natural resources is given priority in society. Public opinion on water conservation and water supply management leads to potential changes in policies and socio-economic behaviours by the public. Print media and particularly newspapers are quite a powerful tool still for disseminating information in society. This study investigated the extent and scope of newspaper coverage on the subject of water security within the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Three newspapers, namely, Thinakkural, Uthayan and Valampuri were chosen based on their popularity according to readership, circulation as print material and for being daily local or regional papers in Tamil. 2019 and 2020 were chosen as the two years covering pre-pandemic and pandemic years respectively for this study based on the premise that water usage and related news coverage would be different in the 2 years. Printed pages of daily issues of the three papers were systematically read and the pieces with any reference of water, irrespective of context were cut out for scanning and classification. The 1,214 items gathered as described above were subjected to quantitative and qualitative content analysis. Substantial decline in coverage of water related issues (28%) was noted from 2019 to 2020, which could be linked to the prevailing pandemic situation in 2020. It is noteworthy that a substantial amount of column space (80%) in the papers was allocated to reporting general news items such as events in the community related to new water projects, rain events as well as floods and drought events and reporting of allocation of irrigation water. Only 20% of space was given to non-news articles including advertisements related to water. These small numbers of non-news articles were subjected to further analysis after following categorization into five consistent themes. These were water resources, water governance or water management, water quality, water quantity, and water and society. The trend appears to be that water resources and water management issues were reported more often in Valampuri and Uthayan than Thinakkural. Thinakkural touched mainly on water quality issues over the same time period. Minimal coverage of water related issues by newspapers could subvert the interest of stakeholders and the public in addressing water related issues. This could be the reason why local people are unaware of local water issues when vernacular newspapers fail to report on local issues. This study has revealed the critical role local print media can play in awareness raising at community level about the unsustainable practice in water usage while promoting local initiatives for conservation of water resources. 2023-01-01T00:00:00Z