User satisfaction of Library Services during COVID – 19 pandemic: with Special Reference to Wayamba University Main Library, Wayamba University of Sri Lanka (WUSL)

Abstract

The focus of the industrial age is on information. All the arts in the world are determined based on information and the library has moved towards the concept of a virtual library when it comes to the speed with which information is created in the world. The unpredictable impact of the COVID - 19 pandemic on all countries cannot be underestimated. That effect had a severe effect on the library system. Therefore, libraries and librarians should organize their services during its pandemic and lockdown. It focuses on how its services are run; the safety measures to be followed in maintaining those services; the responsibilities, and functions of library professionals in the event of a pandemic, as well as the technologies that libraries can use in providing services to their users. In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate the User satisfaction of Library Services during COVID – 19 pandemics. The survey was conducted by using questionnaires with close and open - ended questions. Under graduate’s students 100 selected for this study using a simple random sample method. The respondent rate was 88%. Respondents have mentioned that they use the library for their educational & research purposes. According to their response, 70% mentioned that they mostly requested past papers & research papers. Respondents mentioned that Ask a librarian service is the best service for requesting information. There are good percentages of users 75% are satisfied with the resources & services of the library, but others wish for improvement. The study identified that users were faced with a lack of photocopy services and non-availability of needed information materials. Based on the findings of the study the following recommendations were made, upgrading the library with necessary information resources and services and also enhancing photocopy service to fulfill their information needs.