A Study on Parent Organizations’ Contribution to Functioning Special Libraries in Sri Lanka: with special reference to International Water Management Institute Library, National Institute of Education Library and National Science Foundation Information Center Library

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to study the contribution of the parent organisation to the functioning of special libraries in Sri Lanka. For this, 03 out of 70 special libraries were selected as the sample using convenience and non-random sampling methods. The survey method and interviews were used as the research method of data collection for the study. Accordingly, data were collected through the questionnaire. In this study, data were collected under the following sections on the contribution of parent institutions to library performance. That is, the provision of library resources and services, how to obtain financial resources, human resource management, provision of infrastructure, etc. A qualitative method was used for data analysis. As revealed by the data analysis, in the study of the contribution of the parent Organization to the library function of the special libraries in Sri Lanka, the contribution of the mother organisation to the library function of the three libraries, namely the International Water Management Institute Library, the National Institute of Education Library and the National Science Foundation Information Centre Library is at a reasonable level. It was revealed that the contribution of the parent institution in library resources and service provision, financial resources, human resource management and infrastructure provision is reasonable. In this study, compared to the other two libraries, it was found that the contribution of the mother organisation to the International Water Management Institute library is high. It was revealed that delays in purchasing computers and other equipment from the parent institution, insufficient financial provision, various rules, and regulations existing in the mother organisation, and delay in fixing errors in the equipment have adversely affected the functioning of the special libraries as the problems faced by these libraries. This study also presents solutions to solve these problems.