Trend analysis of library book circulation of the Open University of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This study examined the book circulation pattern of the main library of the Open University of Sri Lanka with the aim of identifying the pattern of circulation of printed books. Moreover, this study analyzes the subject wise variation of users' demand during the 05 years and explores the internal factors affecting the process of book borrowing. The study covers the 05 years from 2014-2018 periods for the analysis. This study applied the quantitative research approach and the secondary data taken from the "Koha" Library Management system for the period of 2014 to 2018 was taken for the study. Data presented through descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequency, and correlation analysis with graphical representations. The results of the study indicated that the total annual book borrowings have been declined over the years in parallel to the falling rate of annual book borrowers. Literature, technology and social sciences were the subject areas with the highest demand and religion, history & geography, and arts were the least in-demand categories over the last 05 years from 2014 to 2018. It could be identified that education was the only subcategory with an increasing rate of book borrowing. It is important to carry out a study to explore possible causes for the decline in book borrowings and changes that took place in the information-seeking behavior of the library users.