My First Experience with Sri Lankan Libraries

Well today was a busy day... tired now, and it is only a little after 5:00 pm... must still have a little jet lag.

This morning we (Rob and I) were picked up by the FCM vehicle and taken to tour the Colombo Public Library. It was a very enlightening experience. The Colombo library is the largest public Library in Sri Lanka, and it sets the standard for the rest of the country.

It is an impressive building, built around a central courtyard, which makes it quite bright and airy inside. They have a Lending Library, Reference Section, Newspaper Room, Study Rooms (one for men and one for women), and a large Children's Library. The hope to start an automation project in February, pending Council approval later this month. I will let the pictures tell the rest of the story...

the Teen Collection (Lending Library)

the Children's Library

the Rare Book Room

Mobile Library (you cannot read it, but there is a sign on the door that states it was donated by Canada)

There is only one branch for Colombo City but they have 50 sites that are serviced by the Mobile Library system, including community centres, sunday schools, etc.

It was all quite interesting to see. We also visited Kotte Public Library, which is basically a suburb of Colombo. It was quite a bit smaller, but already starting to automate. All, in all, it was a very good thing to see these two libraries... puts the Sri Lankan state of libraries into a clearer context. And, these libraries are in a much better position than the communities on the east coast. So I am very anxious to see the Batticaloa Library next week.

Amidst these tours we also met with Wayne from FCM and had our political and security briefings. Lots of information to absorb. To say Sri Lanka is a complex nation is a vast understatment.

Now, I have the evening to prepare for our first meetings with the Sri Lankan library staff tomorrow. I am soooooo looking forward to seeing them all. So I will sign off... need to get some dinner and do a little work.