SLIIT library enriched with e resources and advanced technology

Keeping in line with SLIIT’s mission of creating a learning and research environment with the best possible resources for students and staff, the libraries at SLIIT are key centres which foster self-learning and develop lifelong reading skills. With libraries in Malabe, Kolpetty and Matara under the purview of SLIIT, the three locations are well equipped with all the subject oriented core text books, teachers recommenced reading materials, scholarly sources, reference books, journals, leisure reading books, business magazines, dictionaries, encyclopaedias, thesauruses and a comprehensive collection of DVDs and CDs. 

SLIIT has its own automated library system through which students can borrow, renew, request and reserve books. Commenting on the unique features of the library, SLIIT Librarian Pushpamala Perera noted, “The automated system which was developed by SLIIT’s own department; the ‘Software Engineering Services Division’ (SESD) has been in use since 2005. It is important to note that the Industrial Technology Institute, Ceylon Tea Board, Chartered Institute of Accountants (CIA) Sri Lanka, National Institute of Education (NIE) and Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), Holy Family Convent, St. Peters College and Royal College use the database which our SESD Division developed and marketed.” With the introduction of new degree programs, increase in classes and different membership categories, this novel system can be customised at any point. 

Students also have access to an ‘Online Public Access Catalogue’ which is the library web system. The catalogue consists of a collection of e-books, journals, past examination papers, recommended texts for courses and a range of glossaries. 

The web library of SLIIT also offers many databases; one such database is ‘Emerald Insight’. Available to all students, this database gives prominence to the fields of Business, Civil Engineering, Accounting, Management and HR. For students in the IT, Business and Engineering degree program, ‘IEEE Xplore’ is a well renowned database. Student can not only browse but also can download full text articles in order to enhance their knowledge. Currently only four institutions in Sri Lanka have this prestigious database. 

The SLIIT library is a member of the Commonwealth University Libraries Network and a member of the Sri Lanka Scientific and Technology Information Network. SLIIT also holds Institutional library membership with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Accountants (CIA) of Sri Lanka. The SLIIT library also has affiliations to foreign universities and therefore both students and the library staff have full access to their library resources.

“Commonly used throughout the campus is the digital library titled ‘Digital Blackboard’. This platform has all the course materials and it functions as a medium for teachers and students to communicate. Under this digital blackboard we have a digital library which includes past papers, e-books, e-glossaries, dictionaries and learning resources approved by the academics,” noted Perera. 

The library staff of SLIIT takes on the responsibility of conducting induction programs for first year students on using the library, utilising the available resources, using reference, referencing styles and conducting research. Students are also provided with training on completing a project without plagiarism and using the tool ‘Turn it in’ to detect the originality of the reports produced. Teachers and Students can access this ‘Turnit in’ plagiarism tool through the library website. 

The library is being improved continuously to cater to the increasing number of students and for the propagation of knowledge. “We have well trained staff with a library professional qualification”. Commenting on the future of the library, Perera said, “Currently a new building in Malabe is under construction for a state of the art library which would give students more space and facilities. In order to address the problem of students wanting the same book at the same time, we want to develop an IP based e-book platform. Together with the English department we are also expanding our collection of leisure reading books. We further want to develop a self-circulation system where students can visit the library premises at any time and return the book.” 

Whilst offering degree programs in the fields of IT, Engineering, Business, Architecture and Quantity Surveying, SLIIT serves to ensure that its academic programs are continuously upgraded and re-engineered to meet the changing needs of the industry and country. Hence even the SLIIT libraries continue to enhance its collection of books, journals, reprints and reference materials.