Information needs, accessibility and utilization in prison library context of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper investigated information needs of prison inmates, accessibility and utilization of library and information resources in the prison library context in Sri Lanka. Survey method was adopted for the study while a structured questionnaire was the instrument used for data collection. One hundred (100) were used as sample size for the study from thetotal population of Magazine Prison in Sri Lanka. The simple random sampling technique was adopted for this study. Data collected were analyzed descriptively. The respondents were asked questions on the information resources and services in prisons, access to information resources and services, utilization of information resources and services, satisfaction with information resources and services and information needs of inmates. The data were presented in frequency tables and percentages.The findings revealed that the information resources and services were made available to inmates. It was discovered that one and only available information resources is books and available information service was lending. However, the study revealed that not all of these resources and services were fully utilized by inmates. The study also revealed that inmates all have information needs which are to be met through the provision of information resources.