Analysis of Automated Circulation Data Patterns in Academic Libraries:

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the automated circulation services and features and patterns in the library of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. A key issue identified was the significant disparity in students’ knowledge and experience regarding library circulation services across different faculties. Circulation data covering the period from May 2024 to April 2025 were retrieved from the university library management system and quantitatively analyzed to address the objectives of this study. A total of 36,575 circulation records were analyzed during the review period and findings revealed that students from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences accounted for most of the circulation activity, representing approximately 55.6% of the total. University staff followed with 15.3%, and the Faculty of Management and Commerce ranked third with 10.1%. Monthly usage trends indicated peak circulation activity among students in January, February, March, October, and November. In contrast, staff members consistently borrowed and returned throughout the year. The top ten most borrowed items were predominantly Sinhala-language academic texts, reflecting localized academic needs in disciplines such as social science, economics, and history. Based on these findings, the study recommends enhancements in faculty-specific resource allocation, digital access expansion, targeted outreach for underutilized groups, and calendar-aligned service optimization. These insights support evidence-based decision-making to strengthen the library's role in advancing institutional teaching and learning goals.