Malaysian Libraries Research Articles

A regional approach towards organizational transformation

Looks at the problems of change management in libraries in Malaysia. Examines implications for the organization, presenting four essential features of transformation. Concludes that in Southeast Asia it is imperative to address the divide which has occurred in library development.

User perceptions of library effectiveness in Malaysian agricultural libraries

This study investigated those factors that contribute positively in shaping users’ perceptions of library effectiveness. A questionnaire‐based survey of five major agricultural libraries in Malaysia was conducted. It was found that the adequacy of collections, services and facilities were closely linked to the perceptions of library effectiveness. Certain other factors contributing positively to the perception of library effectiveness were the adequacy and effectiveness of library promotion, involvement of users in the selection of library materials, convenient library location, participation in user education programmes, availability of assistance for using library resources and facilities, and subject background of library professionals. The paper suggests that for any reliable library effectiveness study, all factors associated with user satisfaction should be investigated together.

Resource sharing among agricultural libraries in Malaysia

Investigates resource sharing activities undertaken by agricultural libraries in Malaysia. It was found that resource sharing was basically limited to interlibrary lending and document delivery activities. On the average, each scientist from the participating research institutions made 1.25 document delivery and interlibrary loan requests per annum. Nearly 74 percent of these requests were met from local libraries. The participating libraries preferred to make their overseas document delivery requests to the BLDSC. Only a limited resource sharing activity was observed between the participating libraries and libraries in the ASEAN region. Heads of the participating libraries were in favour of a “loose” resource sharing scheme where it should be at their discretion to decide with whom to share their resources and at what level. The study offers several suggestions for improving resource sharing activities among agricultural libraries in Malaysia.

Competences for future library professionals of academic libraries in Malaysia

Defines and validates competences for entry‐level professionals of academic libraries in Malaysia keeping in view the needs of the next five years. Top and middle managers of all the university libraries and two other academic libraries participated in the study. A scale of perceived importance of each competence was used for validation of competences organized in the six areas of foundation, cataloguing, circulation, information services, collection development, and serial control. A distinct emphasis is noted for contextual, managerial, technological and service competences. The validated competences can be used for the evaluation and revision of the curricula of formal education programmes.

Defining competencies for special library professionals: Malaysian experience

Special libraries are undergoing some fundamental changes which require redefinition of the competencies of information professionals. The contextual variables necessitate identification of competencies in relation to the peculiarities of a situation. Some methodological improvements were also attempted to arrive at a reliable body of knowledge and skill competencies. Fifty top and middle managers of the ten largest special libraries in Malaysia were interviewed to validate competencies by using a scale indicative of the perceived extent of importance of each competency. The validated competencies have been presented in the following six areas: foundation, cataloguing, circulation, information service, collection development and serial control. Capabilities to relate information facility to the organizational mission and profile, managerial competence, effective exploitation of information technology, subject expertise, and a great deal of emphasis on service aspect figure as the most important arsenal for the future information professionals.

Short communications

Libraries in Malaysia have a history of co‐operation for interlibrary lending, referral services and so on. The MALMARC project, set up in the late 1970s, enabled co‐operative cataloguing to take place and MARC records to be transmitted from the National Library of Malaysia to relevant libraries. By the early 1990s e‐mail had replaced earlier telecommunications technologies for the transmitting of messages between libraries. In 1994 the National Library of Malaysia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MIMOS (Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems) to set up a national library network known as JARINGAN ILMU. This paper describes the background to this project and the developments that have occurred.

Malaysian library deposit legislation and use of official publications

The Preservation of Books Act 1966 and the Deposit of Library Material Act 1986 are examined for their effects or possible effects upon access and use of Malaysian official publications. It is found that in terms of general access and use the Preservation of Books Act was more effective. The right of public access to government publications indicates the need for wider dissemination of such materials. A national publishing and distribution centre for official documents along the lines of the Australian Government Publishing Service (AGPS) with local modifications, is proposed.

Acquisition of Scientific Literature in Developing Countries

The second of a series of articles on the acquisition of scientific literature by libraries in developing countries. Deals mainly with higher education libraries. Summarizes the Malaysian background and the relationship between scientific research and libraries in Malaysia. Describes government policies with regard to contract purchasing, copyright and the national language and their effects on library acquisitions. Discusses acquisitions policy, the selection process, the acquisition of journals, audio-visual materials, maps and related materials, conference papers and theses, the role of gifts and exchanges in acquisitions work and problems of customs clearance and censorship. Progress in cooperative acquisitions and the automation of acquisitions work are also described. Presents proposals for further action.

PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES IN MALAYSIA: AN ANALYSIS

Alexander Wilson belongs to a long line of British librarians who have contributed significantly to the development of libraries and librarianship in Malaysia. His major contributions to Malaysia include the preparation of the architectural brief and development programme for the Kedah State Library in 1978, and his assistance to Malaysian libraries in making available copies of Malay documents and books which had been deposited in the British Library (then British Museum) during the colonial period. This essay is written in honour of his contributions to Malaysian librarianship.

People and events

MRS Radha Nadarajah, Head of the School of Library Science at the Mara Institute of Technology in Kuala Lumpur and Vice‐President of the Malaysia Library Association was in Britain during June and July, visiting library schools to discuss staff exchanges and recruitment for her school.