This document discusses strategies for improving public library services. It outlines who public libraries serve, including children, youth, adults, and marginalized groups. It recommends improving existing libraries, establishing new and branch libraries, and setting up information centers. It also discusses organizing library spaces, acquiring funding, gaining institutional support, staffing libraries, acquiring materials, disseminating information, and managing library administration through committees. The goal is to develop library services that promote national development, social equity, lifelong learning, and opportunities for all.

1. Seminar for Community Development Officers Development of Public Library Services Upali Amarasiri Director National Institute of Library and Information Sciences University of Colombo 26th June 2008 HCARTI

2. Public Library Service for whom? Children Youth School Children Adults People engage in self- employment Old people Researchers House wives Disable and differently able people Minorities Institution bound people (hospitals, children homes, prisons, rehabilitation camps etc) General public

3. Concepts associate with library services National Development Social equity Democratization Decentralization of power Information Literacy Learning to learn / life long learning Participatory development Opportunities for every one

4. Improving Library Service Improve the existing library Establishing new libraries Establishing Branch libraries/Reading rooms Setting Information Centres Establishing Internet services Introduce mobile library services Survey the information needs of the people Providing information according to the needs

5. Library building & equipments Central location Pleasant environment Manageable with minimum staff Security measures Conservation Measures Selection of furniture Selection of equipment Maintenance

6. Organisation of the library Reference Division Lending Division Newspaper Section Computer/Internet area Children section Auditorium/seminar room Technical areas Facilities for the staff Facilities for the public

7. Library Fund Funds provided by the local authority Funds provided by the provincial council Funds/loans from special projects Preparation of project reports Funds generated by the library Locally generated funds (courts fines etc) Special fund raising events Other

8. Fund raising Library week, Library day etc. National Reading Month Special events, play, drama, film etc Through politicians/Peoples representatives Contacting industrialists and other wealthy people in the area Community support; tills, lotteries, lists etc. Other

9. Institutional support National Library and Documentation Services Board National Institute of Library and Information Sciences Sri Lanka Library Association National Science Foundation Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association National Book Development Council Asia Foundation Provincial Library Boards Embassies NGO Other

10. Library Staff Library staff structure (Librarian supra grade, grade 1,2,3) Library qualifications Training opportunities Recruitment & promotions Other supporting staff NLDSB Library Standards Issues

11. Acquisition of Library material Need assessment (readers’ suggestions, consulting national bibliography etc.) Preparing a list, consult the advisory committee Budgetary restrictions and identify priorities Contacting publishers/booksellers Tenders/quotations Discounts Book Exhibitions Things to be avoided Exchange, gifts/donations

12. Organisation the Collection Acquisition Cataloguing Classification In-house arrangements Library automation Security measures

13. Information Dissemination Identify the user groups Identify their information needs Get the support of the other influential people in the area Go to the users and provide information User education programmes Use library as an information centre for economic activities

14. Library Administration/Management Local Authority Library Advisory committee and other committees Rules and regulations Annual Plan and the library budget File management Stock verifications Loss of library materials Security measures

15. Library Committees/Readers Circles Composition of the library committee (LC) Functions of the library committee Using the LC for the advantage of the library Readers circles Other supportive units Organising the meetings Preparation of the agenda, conducting the meeting and taking minutes Result oriented committee meetings