Abstract:
Research Commons is a dedicated library spaceforresearchers. Research Commons
in libraries is important to develop research culture in the university environment.
The authors surveyed all academic staffofthe University ofMoratuwa to review the
current status ofthe research support activities offered by the university library. The
objectives ofthis survey were to: investigate the usage and importance of current
research support services andfind out the significance ofsome proposed research
support services. The research questionnaire was developed after conducting a pilot
study among eminent researchers and focus group interviews with the library
academics. According to their importance to the research activities ofacademic staff
members, current library services and new library services were ranked using
average weightedscores. Access to onlinejournals and databases, Plagiarism check,
and electronic document delivery services are the library's most
important current research support activities. Open access services, research impact
assessment services, and assistance in scholarly publishing are the most important jnew research support services planned by the library. Since the ranking of the
proposed services with the average weighted score provides an understanding of ;existing demand or the need among academics, it is essential to prepare a schedule 1forimplementingfollowing the strategic goals ofthe University ofMoratuwa.
