Abstract:
This study investigates the utilization, user satisfaction, and challenges associated with Online
Public Access Catalogues (OPACs) among the academic staff of the South Eastern University of
Sri Lanka (SEUSL). The research commenced with a review of relevant primary sources to
establish a solid theoretical foundation. The study population comprised 230 academic staff
members across six faculties and the university library. Using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) sample
size determination table, a representative random sample of 144 respondents was selected from
the academic staff. Data were gathered through structured questionnaires, online surveys, and
direct observations, and subsequently analyzed using SPSS Version 30. The findings reveal that
the OPAC system at SEUSL remains underdeveloped and underutilized, with many users unaware
of its full range of functionalities. Academic staff reported dissatisfaction, particularly during the
early implementation stages, citing limited features and low user engagement as key concerns. The
study underscores the need for ongoing staff training, technical enhancements, and the integration
of native language search capabilities to improve the usability and accessibility of the system. The
research offers valuable insights for policymakers and library administrators, advocating the
development of more user-friendly and intuitive OPAC interfaces tailored to the search behaviors
and needs of skilled academic users. The proposed recommendations aim to enhance information
retrieval efficiency and ensure the long-term success of digital library services at SEUSL
