Journal of Information and Knowledge (Formerly SRELS Journal of Information Management)

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Factors Affecting Library Profession and Professional Image of Sri Lankan Librarians:An Overview


Affiliations
1 Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
     

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Image of a profession is a significant area of interest. Substantial amount of literature has appeared on this subject, both in the West and the East. It is important to study the professional image of Sri Lankan Librarians in a rapidly changing social, economic, political and ICT environment. The principal objective of this study is to study the image of Sri Lankan library professionals. The other objectives are to explore what is professional image, to examine the mechanism and environmental factors affecting the professional image of Sri Lankan Librarians, to investigate the mindsets and personal and professional factors affecting the image of Sri Lankan librarians, to identify the obstacles and hindrances facing Sri Lankan library profession and professionals and finally to design and present a model for developing image of librarians and the library profession of Sri Lanka. The study is scrutinized with a proactive approach and it is not the intention to pass any sarcastic criticism against the profession or professionals.

Keywords

Library Profession, Professional Image, Professionalism, Professionalization, Professional Status.
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About The Author

W. A. Weerasooriya
Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya
Sri Lanka

I am Weerasooriya Arachchillage Weerasooriya born on 29th. 08. 1960 a Sri Lankan by descent. After passing the Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Science) (Special) at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka in 1984,  I was appointed as an Assistant Librarian at University of Ruhuna library and  later worked in the same position in the University of Colombo and promoted to Senior Asst. Librarian. Then I was appointed to Senor Lecturer post at the University of Kelaniya where I studied.  I secured M.Lib Degree in 1992 and a Ph.D. in 2008.  I was promoted to a post of Professor in 2000.  I have published two books and


Notifications

  • Jayatissa, L.A. (2014). Challenges and opportunities in university librarianship. In: Kritavedi: Senior Professor Piyadasa Ranasinghe Felicitation Volume, edited by Rev. L. Piyarathana, W.A. Weerasooriya, R.D. Ananada Tissa & Ragama, Prof. Piyadasa Ranasinghe Foundation, 524–534.

  • Weerasooriya, W.A. (2000). The library profession and the role of library professionals. Library News. 21 (4): 10–13.

  • Annada Tissa, R.D. (2003) A study on the history of library profession and professional status in Sri Lanka. MSc thesis, University of Kelaniya.

  • Code of ethics and professional conduct for librarians in Nigeria. The Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria (LRCN). Retrieved on 3rd April 2015 from: http://www.ifla.org/files/assets/faife/nationalcodeofethics/nigeria-code-of-ethics-and-professional-conduct-for-librarians.pdf

  • Mutula, S.M. (2012). Library automation in Sub Saharan Africa: Case study of the University of Botswana. Program: Electronic Library and Information Systems. 46 (3): 292–307.

  • Gordon, R.S. (2004). Find your image between the extremes. Library Journal. 129 (5): 52.

  • Webster’s third new International Dictionary. (1961). Springfield: Mass Merriam, vol. 2, 1811p.

  • Flexner, A. (1915). Is social work a profession? School and Society.

  • Morrisey, L.J. & Case, D.O. (1988). There goes my image the perception of male librarians by colleagues, student and self. College and Research Libraries. 40: 453–464.

  • Garrison, D. (1972). The tender technicians: the feminization of public librarianship. Journal of Social History. 6: 131–156.

  • Heery, E. & Noon, M. (2001). A dictionary of human resources management. New York: Oxford University Press, 449p.

  • Ranganathan, S.R. (2006). The five laws of library science. New Delhi: Ess Ess Publications.

  • Gassol de Horowitz, R. (1988). Librarianship: a third world perspective. New York: Greenwood Press.

  • Weerasooriya, W.A. (2008). Milestones in the road map of library and information education and research in Sri Lanka. In National Conference on Library and Information Science (NACLIS), 24 June 2008, Colombo, Sri Lanka Library Association.

  • The free dictionary. (2000). The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. 4th ed. USA: Retrieved on 16th January 2014 from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/personality

  • Special Library Association (SLA). (1988). Competencies for special librarians: personal performance and career development of the 21st century. Library and Information Programme Final Survey Report, 16p.

  • Armstrong, M.A. (2003). Handbook of human resource management practice. 9th ed. London: Kogan, 12p.


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  • Factors Affecting Library Profession and Professional Image of Sri Lankan Librarians:An Overview

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Authors

W. A. Weerasooriya
Department of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract


Image of a profession is a significant area of interest. Substantial amount of literature has appeared on this subject, both in the West and the East. It is important to study the professional image of Sri Lankan Librarians in a rapidly changing social, economic, political and ICT environment. The principal objective of this study is to study the image of Sri Lankan library professionals. The other objectives are to explore what is professional image, to examine the mechanism and environmental factors affecting the professional image of Sri Lankan Librarians, to investigate the mindsets and personal and professional factors affecting the image of Sri Lankan librarians, to identify the obstacles and hindrances facing Sri Lankan library profession and professionals and finally to design and present a model for developing image of librarians and the library profession of Sri Lanka. The study is scrutinized with a proactive approach and it is not the intention to pass any sarcastic criticism against the profession or professionals.

Keywords


Library Profession, Professional Image, Professionalism, Professionalization, Professional Status.

References