Information management in libraries and its impact on sustainable library and information services with special reference to university libraries of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Technological, Economical and Social changes have transformed the roles of libraries and information management in the recent past. These changes have a great impact on the existence and sustainability of the libraries. At the same time it provides many opportunities and venues to manage the library and information services sustainably. The library professionals have to consider seriously these changing context and the new roles of the library and update and improve the information management and data computing skills. Hence, library professionals will improve the capabilities in order to lead the libraries towards the changing strategies to face the challenges brought by the digital age. Libraries face enormous challenges in managing information and have to tackles the challenges by managing the libraries effectively for tomorrow and transformation of the libraries to a sustainable future. Information Management skills play an important role in managing libraries and information services effectively and ensuring that the services continues to, the present and anticipated needs of patrons sustainably. The paper outlines how the university libraries of Sri Lanka take this challenges strategically by developing information management skills and sustainable library programmes and activities such as resource sharing/ collaboration, create flexibility, reduce costs, social networking, distribution and marketing, strengthen ICT infrastructure to address the broader issues of a sustainable future for library resources and service provision to their patrons.