Usage of reference information resources in Senarath Paranavitharana public library, Badulla

In the existing era, there is a high demand and urgent need for access and availability of information. Information is the most important component of human life. The development and growth of an individual or a society is estimated by their level of information capacity. The study mainly aimed to identify the available reference resources in Badulla Senarath Paranavitharana Public Library with specific objectives such as to identify what are the reference resources have been used by the readers of this library, to rectify the users’ problems in the usage of the reference resources and also how to increase the usage of reference resources in the library. This study used a survey method to collect data and simple random sampling technique was used to select the sample. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data and SPSS software was used for data analysis. Fifty questionnaires were distributed to users and forty five of them responded. The study revealed that, encyclopedias- dictionaries, Britannica atlas, Guinness book, year books are available in the reference section and the usage of these reference resource are low due to the unawareness of these materials. Further the study suggests to provide proper guidance and awareness to the users to increase the usage of reference resources through effective orientation programs, workshops and distributing handbills and newsletters to the public. Also library should give computer and internet facility to the users in reference section to access electronic reference resources.