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by Nadira Gunatilleke

The National Library and Documentation Centre (NLDC) of the National Library and Documentation Services Board (NLDSB) completed 13 years' service to the country on April 27, 2003.

The National Library and Documentation Centre of Sri Lanka was set up in 1990 by the Sri Lanka National Library Services Board (SLNLSB). One can find an exhaustive collection of library material in the form of print, audio-visual and electronic information here which are available for reference purposes.

The collection which is of a high standard both qualitatively and quantitatively reflects the objectives of the National Library. The collection comprises a number of special collections as indicated below.

It intends to provide library and information resources to all Sri Lankans through the National Library and network of libraries and resource centres; assists to achieve intellectual and cultural advancement, supporting the development of Sri Lanka. At present the book stock is approximately 250,000. There are three reading rooms and several study rooms with a total seating capacity of 320, air conditioned auditorium with 120 seats and a conference room with 60 seats.

The Picture Gallery of the National Library consists of portraits of leading figures who contributed significantly to language, literature, art and library fields in Sri Lanka. This was inaugurated in 1998 and it is expected to be developed as a separate gallery in the future. In addition the NLDC is collecting paintings of leading artists in the country.

The National Library is a reference library and is open to all members of the public. It does not lend books to individual readers but on occasion it lends books to selected libraries on an inter-library loan for reference purposes. There is an information desk on the ground floor to help the public with inquiries. Reference, referral, documentation, data base searching, internet, inter library lending and photocopying are among the several services offered by the National Library. Photocopies are provided at a reasonable rate.

In addition to its own collection, the NLDC also provides the National Union Catalogue which contains information on the holdings of selected Sri Lankan libraries.

The General Reference Collection of the library consists of encyclopaedias, dictionaries, directories, bibliographies, indexes, glossaries, gazetteers and other reference works on a wide range of subjects. The section also has microforms, CD-ROMs, including science citation index, LISA plus, current contents.

The National Library of Sri Lanka is a deposit library and receives copies of Sri Lankan publications under the Printers and Publishers Ordinance. It also acquires books published in Sri Lanka, books published on Sri Lanka and books by Sri Lankan authors.

This collection is supplemented by the following collections acquired by the National Library: Prof. Tikiri Abeysinghe collection, Prof. D. E. Hettiarachchi collection, Dr. M. H. Peter Silva collection, Dr. E. M. Wijerama collection and Theja Gunawardena collection.

Over 500 titles in Sri Lankan and foreign periodicals are also in this section. Sri Lankan newspapers (over 300 titles in Sinhala, Tamil and English. This collection commenced in 1976), Government publications (Gazettes, Hansards, Sessional papers, ordinances, administration reports, law reports, acts and bills of Sri Lanka Parliament/National State Assembly).

Maps (over 1000 maps of Sri Lanka produced by the Survey Department). Ola leaf manuscripts collection, drama manuscripts collection, audio-visual collection of Sri Lankan songs, documentaries, plays and teledramas. The Library and Information Science collection consists of 3500 items including foreign periodicals.

Folklore Collection consists of a large collection of manuscripts received from the late Peter Wijesinghe, a well-known folklore specialist in Sri Lanka and other materials and items received from various sources. In addition it also possesses a large number of publications on the subject published with the assistance of the Publishing Division of the NLDSB.

Martin Wickremasinghe Collection which was donated by the Martin Wickremasinghe Trust consists of Wickremasinghe's personal collection of books, draft manuscripts of his writings, personal effects such as his desk, typewriter, pen, wristwatch, armchair and a number of cultural artifacts collected by him.

The Theses and Dissertation Collection of the Ph.D and M.Phil. degrees conferred by Sri Lankan universities is part of the national collection. These are deposited in the National Library with the concurrence of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the respective universities and postgraduate institutions.

The theses related to the above degrees conferred by foreign universities to Sri Lankan nationals or on research on a theme relevant to Sri Lanka are also pursued by the National Library. National Library tours are conducted regularly for the benefit of school and university students and also for other interested groups. Special lectures and workshops are conducted for prospective users. Monthly National Library Lecture Series is another significant feature in the user education program.

There are several computerised databases in the National Library covering a number of important areas. Subjects include publications on the ethnic problem and devolution of power in Sri Lanka, ISBN Publishers Directory and the special collections in the National Library.

The Report Collection contains various reports submitted by foreign and local experts as part of development projects funded by international donor agencies, reports of banks and other private sector organisations and the administration reports of government departments, corporations and statutory boards. The Report Collection is on the second floor of the library.

The Selective Dissemination of Information (SDI) Service of the National Library disseminates current and up to date information to researchers, libraries and information centres. The service is rendered through compilation of directories, indices, content page service, quick reference services and a number of other information dissemination activities.

The National Library educates prospective users on its resources and services through various user education programs carried out through the year.

The IT Division of the National Library has taken a number of initiatives to popularise information technology among libraries in the country. The necessary technical advice, assistance in the preparation of preliminary project reports, limited financial assistance for obtaining required IT equipment and training facilities for staff are some of these initiatives. The project to introduce Internet facilities for public libraries and the library automation project are the leading projects presently carried out by the National Library.

The National Library holds a considerably large and growing collection of palm leaf manuscripts. These indigenous library material cover many fields including medicine, literature and religion. The well organised collection is in special cupboards on the first floor.

The Acquisition Division of the National Library is responsible for collection development activities. It involves selection of publications, search for rare materials, checking, listing, ordering, exchanges and acquiring of materials. Current local publications are received through the legal deposit system and the publication assistance projects of the NLDSB.

Therefore acquisition funds are mainly used to purchase the basic reference sources, rare books, foreign publications pertaining to the country, periodicals and CD-ROMs.

Internet is used for searching for materials as well as for ordering. The National Library Acquisition list giving details of the materials acquired is published monthly. Sri Lanka National Bibliography, Directory of Government Publications, Sri Lanka ISBN Publishers Directory, Directory of Social Science Libraries, Information Centres and Databases in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Periodical Article Index, NATNET LANKA (Newsletter), Directory of Libraries in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Conference Index, Library News, Sri Lanka Newspaper Index, Sri Lanka National Bibliography (Retrospective) are some of the publications by the National Library.

National Library Publications, books published under the various publication assistance programs of the SLNLSB, publications of author publishers, publications of selected government institutions and library stationery are some of the publications available at the National Library bookshop.

A number of special measures have been taken to protect the National Library collection. The collection is deposited in a secure, air conditioned and humidity controlled place in the middle core area of the building. Conservation and preservation of library material is a monumental task in the majority of libraries in Sri Lanka. The situation is aggravated by the country's tropical climate.

The Library Conservation Centre project which was introduced by the National Library with the intention of popularising conservation activities among the libraries at the national level is another landmark in this field. This can be considered the first national campaign on library conservation. About 30 libraries from different library sectors are selected for the project annually. The National Library provides training and equipment for the centres.

Maintaining standards and engaging in other services which help the development of the library field are the main responsibilities of the Library Development Division. Accordingly, the division assists in planning library services, advising on library matters, assisting libraries and formulating library standards.

The task of the Library Education Division is developing library educational activities in the country in general, assisting library educational institutions and conducting short-term training programs, seminars and workshops.

The centre located at No.14, Independence Avenue is open to the public from Tuesday to Saturday from 0900 hrs to 1700 hrs, except public holidays. The telephone numbers are 698847, 687582, 674384. e-mail www.natlib.lk.

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