Visit to NUS Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library & NUS Business School

Today I joined the LAS Programmes and Social Committee to visit the Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library and Mochtar Riady Building, a flagship building of the NUS Business School.

About Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library

The Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library (HSSML) is a Special Library within the National University of Singapore Libraries.

It started its operation in 1987 and was named in memory of the late Mr Hon Sui Sen (1916-1983), former Minister for Finance of Singapore (1970-1983).

The Library collects and maintains a rich collection of management, business and finance books, journals, audiovisual materials and digital resources. It serves primarily students and faculty members from School of Business. It completed a face lift renovation last semester, i.e., March 2011.

Highlights of the day:

Date: 12 Dec 2011 (Monday)
Time: 3.00pm to 5.20pm
Meeting point: Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library (HSSML) Information Desk

Program
3.00 – 3.30pm: Registration and Networking Tea
3:30 – 4.30pm: Overview of Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library and Library Tour
4:30 – 5.00pm: Tour of the NUS Business School (Mochtar Riady Building)

Registration
Registration is on a first-come-first served basis and limited to LAS members only.
The group size is limited to 20. I am glad to be one of them and met many friends and counterparts from various libraries.

Location map of NUS HSSML
http://libportal.nus.edu.sg/frontend/ms/hon-sui-sen-memorial-library/about-hon-sui-sen-memorial-library/getting-to-hon-sui-sen-memorial-library

With the briefing from the NUS Librarians and the staff from Business School who guided us for this tour, I gained more insight into the changes Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library has since 1987. As I used to visit the library when my UK classmate was working there in the 90s. This visit refreshed my memory. Nevertheless, the new impression I now have of HSSML is very different from what I hold in my "databank of 1990s".

Some major changes are:

* Increase of reading and learning space: the seating capacity is now up to over 200, additional discussion rooms and student activities areas are created from staff office from basement to level 3. This is to meet the needs of students for project works/group discussion.

* Multiple "power points"are available on all reading tables to meed the computing needs of the students.

* Periodical and book shelves from Level 1 and 2 were removed and housed at the top level.

* Integrating "Info Common" room/area with commercial computer printing/photocopying service.

* Increase total floor space by converting the roof top garden and cooling plants area to "Quiet Rooms" etc.

* Use of "QR codes" for coding 20 tier-one current journals and allow the use of smart mobile phone to do scanning and auto login/searching via NUS Library OPAC LINC (Library INtegrated Catalogue). As the journal "title" is embedded in the QR codes, no typing is necessary and that makes searching easy. Users just take a photo of the QR code and with some finger tapping, they get to browse the OPAC records. If the OPAC records are linked to EBSCOhost, users may also browse the issues and get the articles directly in future.

Notes: one can create QR code at http://www.qrstuff.com/

NUS Business School (Mochtar Riady Building)

The Business School in NUS, built in 2009, is a fairly new building in NUS. It is just at the turn of a corner when we step out of the library. With the help of the staff from the business school who guided us from floor to floor, we have a chance to enter many seminar rooms, staff lounges and enjoy the views of the surrounding building in NUS through the glass wall of this new building.

The open and over 120 degree horizontal view the various lounges provide made many LAS member recalled their impression of the

The view is different, of course, yet the feel is rather similar. I think all the architects within the same decade may have the same approach in creating experience to the users of the building.

Some of the LAS members being "Green" and environmental friendly, do feel that the glass partitions in the building and the glass wall around it, can be rather costly for long term maintenance.

Most of the LAS members like the look and feel. Yet, most of us feel luck that we do not need to think about paying for the utilities.

I think the students in the Business School are the fortunate one as the building have areas that are accessible 24 hours and that will make them feel very much at home any time all year long.

Most of the LAS member was impressed to see the building and its spacial rooms for different uses. Yet having to cool the entire glass building over 12 hours is costly. If there is a energy saving way to bring down the cost, this type of design, which look attractive to the eyes, would become very popular in the future.

I do wish I can be student again to enjoy the excellent facilities and services provided by the Library and School management.

Visiting two sites and tour different floors in the building create opportunity to exercise our legs this afternoon. Our physical body are rather tire at the end of the visit at 5.20pm, yet, we are ontented and feel thankful!

Thanks to the Librarians in Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library and LAS Programmes and Social Committee who takes times to organize this visit. Thanks too for the library staff who prepare a a nice tea reception, with nice home-made mee siam, cookies and cakes etc before we start the tour!

A big "Cheers" to all!

Dexterine Ho Soo Miang

Source of information: email from lassec@las.org.sg, dated 22 Nov 2011.

Eligibility for Professional Development Scheme (PDS) Points:
This activity attracts 46 points under the Industry Knowledge Development (ID) category - "Study visit to other libraries (local and overseas)"

Europe's Digital Library, Europeana and The Germam National Library

This afternoon, I attended the talks by Dr Elisabeth Niggemann, Director General of the German National Library (Deutsche Nationalbibliothek).

This event is jointly organised by Goethe-Institut, the Digital Libraries Group of the Library Association of Singapore and Professional & International Relations, NLB.

With the insight of the speaker, first, I learned more about Europeana, Europe’s digital library, archive and museum and initiatives. In the second half of the talk, I have the opportunity of hearing the approaches the German National Library are adopting against the backdrop of digital revolution as the library celebrates its 100th anniversary next year.

Here are some details of the two talks:

TALK 1:

Date: 9 Dec 2011, Friday
Venue: Possibility Room, Level 5, National Library Building

Programme Outline

3.00pm Registration
3.30pm Professional Talk: EUROPE’S DIGITAL LIBRARY, ARCHIVE AND MUSEUM: EUROPEANA

4.15pm Light Refreshments

Synopsis:

Europeana is the name the portal that integrates the digitized holdings of Europe’s libraries, archives, museums and audiovisual collections. Currently it gives access to 20 million items held by 1.500 content providers.

Apart from being an aggregator, Europeana is also playing an important role as a facilitator and a distributor and it is engaged in many topics like standards, open linked data, public domain, copyright etc.

TALK 2:
4.15pm Registration
4.45pm Professional Talk: THE GERMAN NATIONAL LIBRARY AND THE DIGITAL REVOLUTION

5.30pm End of Programme

Synopsis

The German National Library will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2012. The tasks today are not very different from the tasks 100 years ago. What has changed dramatically are the publications and the processes (technical and organizationally) in the workflow. Constant change is necessary to cope with the digital revolution.

Speaker’s Profile

Dr Elisabeth Niggemann is the Director General of the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek (German National Library) in Leipzig and Frankfurt am Main.

In 1987 she started her career as a librarian at the German Central Library for Medicine in Cologne as head of the acquisitions department.

In 1989 she became head of the cataloguing and subject indexing department at the University and State Library at the Heinrich-Heine University in Düsseldorf.

In 1994, she became the director of the Düsseldorf University and State Library. She came into her present position in 1999.

She has been involved in many national and international working groups and committees. Until recently she was Chair of the Board of Directors of CENL (Conference of European National Librarians), and Chair of the Europeana Foundation.

She is a member of the Board of Trustees of OCLC and a member of several Advisory Councils, a Board member of the “Stiftung Buchkunst” and one of the editors of the “Zeitschrift für Bibliothekswesen und Bibliographie”.

Source of information:
Email from las.honsec@gmail.com dated 29 November 2011.

LAS Professional Development Scheme (PDS) Points: 46
(Applicable only to librarians who are participants of PDS)

The Services of the National Library of China

Today, I attended the following professional talk organized by Professional & International Relations (PIR), NLB.

Topic : The Services of the National Library of China (delivered in Mandarin)
Speaker : Mr Sun Yigang, Assistant Director-General, National Library of China
Date : 7 Dec 2011, Wednesday
Time : 3.30pm – 5.00pm (Please be seated by 3.15pm.)
Venue : Possibility Room, Level 5, National Library Building

Mr Sun Yigang is the Assistant Director-General of the National Library of China (NLC). He leads a delegation of five senior NLC staff for a visit to NLB and I felt very privileged to have a chance to listen to his speech today.

This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to learn about the services offered in NLC, one of the many fast-developing libraries in Asia.

Synopsis of Talk
This presentation mainly introduces the services of the National Library of China, which include the service structure and modes to the general public, libraries and government bodies. The services of the NLC refer to public services, reference services, digital library services, etc.

本报告主要介绍中国国家图书馆的服务。其中包括服务格局与服务模式，面向社会公众、图书馆业界、政府机构和社会组织所开展的各种服务的基本情况。内容涉及公众（特色）服务、参考咨询服务、立法决策服务以及数字图书馆服务等各个方面。

Speaker’s Profile
Mr Sun Yigang was born in March 1961 in Qingdao, Shandong Province. He is a research librarian. He graduated from Department of Optics, Shandong University with bachelor degree in July 1983, and graduated from Computer Science and Engineering Department, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics with master degree in March 1996. He joined People's Liberation Army in July 1983 after he graduated from university, and had successively worked in Institute of Artillery Equipment and Technology, General Staff Department, and Weapon System Integrated Demonstration Research Institute, General Armament Department.

He was transferred to the National Library of China in July 2000, and then had successively acted as director of NLC Information & Network Department, vice-general manager of China Digital Library Corp., Ltd, director of NLC Scientific Research Division, Centennial Events Office, Computer & Network System Department, and General Office. He was appointed NLC Assistant Director-General in November 2010.

孙一钢，1961年3月出生，山东青岛人。研究馆员。1983年7月山东大学光学系本科毕业，1996年3月北京航空航天大学计算机科学与工程系计算机应用专业硕士研究生毕业。1983年大学毕业后，先后在总参炮兵装备技术研究所和总装武器装备综合论证研究所工作，1997年5月任总装武器装备综合论证研究所二室副主任。

2000年7月转至国家图书馆，先后任信息网络部主任、中国数字图书馆有限责任公司副总经理、科研处处长、百年馆庆筹备办公室主任、计算机与网络系统部主任、办公室主任。2010年11月聘任为国家图书馆馆长助理。

Source of information: email from las.honsec@gmail.com dated 24 Nov 2011

LAS Professional Development Scheme (PDS) Points: 46 (Applicable only to librarians who are participants of PDS)

When Nations Remember 2' Conference

Photo: courtesy of Singapore Memory Project, Nation Library of Singapore
=====

I was excited to attend ‘When Nations Remember 2’ Conference" today at at the River Room, level 2, Asian Civilisations’ Museum today.

Being forgetful and have to return home to get my hand phone, I was there late (at 9.40am) and miss the opening countdown of ‘3,2,1’.

I was delighted to catch up with some library counterparts, ex-students of TP and many good friends who volunteer in the project, i.e., Belinda Tan, Daisy Yeo, James Seah, Joyce Shum, Lily Wong, Patricia Lee, Peter Chan, Rosie Wee and Zahra Aljunied.

I miss some part of Gene Tan's Speech, and here is the main points of the speech by Dr Yaacob Ibrahim:

=====

(Extracted from SPEECH BY DR YAACOB IBRAHIM, MINISTER FOR INFORMATION, COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS AT WHEN NATIONS REMEMBER II, 28 NOVEMBER 2011, 9.40AM AT THE RIVER ROOM, ASIAN CIVILISATIONS MUSEUM)
http://app.mica.gov.sg/Default.aspx?tabid=36&ctl=Details&mid=539&ItemID=1356

* When Prime Minister Lee announced the Singapore Memory Project (SMP) during his National Day Rally earlier this year, we had only about 30,000 stories and memories. In slightly over three months, this has grown to more than 220,000 contributions. I hope we are on track to become a nation of storytellers. This tremendous increase in contributions is testimony to how this project has touched Singaporeans and all who feel a part of Singapore.

* ... like to applaud the enthusiastic efforts of all our partners – more than 90 academic, research and library institutions, heritage agencies, public agencies, private entities and community organisations; almost 100 volunteers, our Memory Corps, who come from all walks of life; as well as members of the public who contributed directly to the www.iremember.sg website who made this possible. The range and diversity of partnerships reflect wide community participation and ownership.

* ... grateful for the strong support and assistance extended to us by our Memory Corps who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes. By selflessly giving your time, playing roles from curator to connector, you have made the wider collection of memories possible.

* Everyone Can Contribute

* ... the SMP team collaborated with RediscoverSG, who are four young Singaporeans passionate about chronicling life in Singapore, to gather stories on the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station. The public responded positively to the iremember KTM initiative with their contributions of personal stories and photographs.

* Partners, like the Ministry of Education Heritage Centre and the Academy of School Teachers, also extended their support through the “iremembermySchoolDays” initiative, which gathered many school-day memories.

* Besides contributions from organisations and groups, the SMP team told me that we also have entries from abroad, all the way from the United Kingdom as well as Japan, with stories stretching from the 1930s to present day. For instance, Ms Fiona Hodgkins, who first came to Singapore from England in 1975 as a nine year old, shared her memories on growing up in Singapore during her early years, of learning to eat curry and visiting the Dutch club (as the British Club did not exist then) until her family left when she was 17 years old. There is also the story of Ms Wang Hui Ling, who is now residing in Japan, who shared her memories on the Hello Kitty craze in 2000, something that will be familiar to those of us who are young at heart.

* Sharing our memories with the generations to come

* The SMP is not just about building a database of memories or stories. Each memory helps to add to the collective that enriches our understanding and experience of our past.

* I remember when I was a kid, we were issued with the POSB “Save At School” stamp card with empty boxes for pasting postage stamps, and we would use our savings to buy 5-cent or 10-cent stamps to paste onto the card. When we complete the card with 20 stamps, we will give it to the school which will send it in to the bank, and it adds to our savings account. Till today, I still have a POSB account.

* The SMP aims to do the same – for every Singaporean to start the habit of saving. But, in this case, we are saving our memories and depositing them into a shared memory bank for ourselves, our children, grandchildren, and for others to enjoy, and more importantly, to enrich their lives.

* ... look forward to everyone’s support to achieve the target of collecting 5 million memories by 2015.

* Launch of PictureSG -- an online collection of images, whether artworks or photographs, showcasing the socio-cultural and historical development of Singapore. I think this is a wonderful initiative by NLB, because pictures say a thousand words. With this, the public can now share his image, include a description or even add a tag to it, so that people can understand and appreciate the image. Like the www.iremember.sg website, the SMP will insure this for posterity so that future generations can draw from these memory accounts and continue to be inspired by the stories of Singapore and her past.

* Today’s event shows that we care about everything that affirms our identity in Singapore, that we want to do our part to recollect for posterity what we remember. These efforts will draw us closer together as a nation and leave a legacy for future generations.

=====

The programmes that make an imprint in my mind are:

Memory Corps Lai Tuck Chong and Low Jiaxin's sharing on their experience in documenting the memories of a group of water heritage pioneers. The "Documenting memories of PUB Ex-Water Treatment Plant in Johor" have a group of Six PUB staff from the former Water Treatment Plants in Johor interviewed, captured in a seven minute video. I like the way "CEO" is being used to name "Chief Entertaining Officer", that shows the PUB staff have light-hearted and life-warming way of making heavy project a joyful process!.

Youth Project: RediscoverSG by A group of NTU students: Derek Foo, Elizabeth (Lizzy) Lee, Lim Song Lip and Jeremy Tan. I was touched by the introduction of the "The Unseen/Unsaid" 10-part mini series. The two mini espisodes Lizzy shown to the audience narrate everyday Singaporeans' life through forgotten trades and places. "Unseen/Unsaid allow viewers a glimpse into the personal struggles of individual Singaporeans whose stories draw a parallel with the surrounding places and landscapes".

As Lizzy put it "The 10-part series is born out of a desire to preserve the fragments of Singapore’s past that is rapidly being replaced by new developments." I like Episode 9 on Satay Boy in Tiong Bahru, and it was not shown at the conference. Being a resident in Tiong Bahru Estate for over 30 years, This video on ‘Ah Pui Kia’ at http://rediscover.sg/2011/08/through-thick-and-thin-episode-9/ "wanders the neighbourhood with his pushcart; a cart that had seen much of the excitement and vigour of the past" is very closed to my heart. Satay boy had grown from a young boy 3o years back to a middle age man now, and he still visit our block everyday to sell satay in the late afternoon.

Uncovering the legacy of a Nation through Memory Documentation by Pauline Loh (http://paulineltl.wordpress.com/) let us have some insight of Robinson Fire in 1972. Her interview with Mr Robert Tan (My friend, Ms Rosalind Tan's brother) on stage makes history told in an interactive mode. I could hear the event being told from someone who were working there. Pauline also documented his father in-law's life journey before he passed away. From the second stage interview with her daughter, we see how younger generation translate and understand "match making" in the real sense. I think Pauline have the best gift for her daughter and it is something many family in Singapore may miss unintentionally.

There are other sharing on Geylang and MOE Heritage Centre etc in the afternoon, and I know I will have more to re-discover Singapore in the coming year!

InfoHost User Group Meeting 2011

iGroup/InfoHost host their User Group Meeting today and I was invited to join this event.

InfoHost User Group Meeting 2011

Date: Friday, 4th November 2011
Time: 0830-1400hrs
Venue: Orchard Hotel Singapore, Orchard Ballroom I, Level 3, 442 Orchard Road, Singapore 238879

They have specially invited 3 distinguished speakers for this meeting:

- Dr Scott Nicholson (Associate Professor), School of Information Studies Syracuse University

- Mr John Shipp (University Librarian), the University Of Sydney

- Mr Michael B. Morgan (President & CEO), Morgan & ClayPool Publishers to share with us their expertise and insights.

Dr Scott Nicholson interesting talk is on “Gaming Programs for Academic Libraries”

Mr John Shipp on “Extreme-E” and Mr Michael B. Morgan on “Beyond Ebooks” at the event.

They have also included an exhibition area to showcase the latest products and offerings from represented publishers.

10 Seats was allocated for LAS for this event and I appreciate Ms Susan Pey personal reply and her warm reception at the meeting.

I think my best harvest for the day was getting re-connected with friends and counterparts from various libraries and updating my knowledge and understanding of the Gaming trends in General and their applications in the library! That will add new juice for my training in LAS/WSQ Level 2 courses.

Extreme-E and Beyond Ebooks ignites my desire to look into e-books interactive format and innovative publication in details!

I think Ebooks has its new dynamics that evolve itself from still pdf or audio book. When it become more comfortable and interesting to reader, it will be accepted and I think printed books that we have will become valuable "collectable items" in years to come!

Understanding Digital Preservation

Today, I attended the Seminar On “Understanding Digital Preservation in the Context of Digital Library” organised by ExLibris Singapore:

Date: Monday, 31st Oct 2011
Time: 1400hr – 1700hr
Venue: Library Instructional Commons Block N2 Level B3A-01 Nanyang Technological University50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798

"With the transition from traditional paper to a digital library, many institutions are facing new challenges. One of the emerging challenges is in the field of digital preservation and its role as part of the digital library."

"Ex Libris Rosetta digital preservation solution provides a sustainable digital preservation model which enables institutions to collect, manage, preserve, and provide access to institutional documents, research output in digital formats, digital images, websites, and other digitally born and digitized materials."

Listening to Mr. John M. Meador, Jr, Dean of Libraries on his digital preservation experience in Binghamton University, was most inspiring to me.

He reminded us that "Digital Preservation Project" have to be conceived with the needs of interest groups in mind.

With interests from the academic groups who see the needs to preserve the objects, pictures or photographs etc, funding will follow.

Start with manageable and low hanging fruits first and move on to the higher goal.

It is not a "Zero or All" game. You can do comprehensive digital preservation steps by steps, not all at once!

Agenda:
1330 – 1400 NTU Library Tour (Business Library) & Registration

1400 – 1405 Welcome Speech: Mr. Choy Fatt Cheong, University Librarian, Nanyang Technological University Mr. Ziv BenZvi, Vice President, Ex Libris Asia Pacific

1405 – 1450 Overview of the world of digital preservation: Mr. Nir Sherwinter, Rosetta Business Analysis & Implementation Manager

1450 – 1535 Building a Digital Library for Binghamton University: Mr. John M. Meador, Jr, Dean of Libraries, Binghamton University

1535 – 1605 Tea break

1605 – 1650 Rosetta Overview & Live Demonstration: Mr. Nir Sherwinter, Rosetta Business Analysis & Implementation Manager

1650 – 1700 Q&A

Source of information:
http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/category/SingaporeRosetta

On Being a Librarian" by Ms Ch'ng Kim See

Professional & International Relations (PIR) at NLB kickstart 2011’s Professional Talks Series with an up close and personal session with Ms Ch’ng Kim See, Head of ISEAS (Institute of Southeast Asian Studies) Library today:

Topic : On Being a Librarian
Speaker : Ms Ch’ng Kim See, Head, ISEAS Library, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
Date : 11 May 2011, Wed
Time : 4.00pm – 5.30pm
Venue : Possibility Room, Level 5, National Library Building

Ms Ch’ng's personal insight into her choice of librarianship as a profession, with almost forty years’ experience under her belt is something interesting to me and it does evoke emotions and memories for many of us.

As Singapore librarians rarely share their personal stories, hence this is a not-to-be-missed opportunity for me to hear from her.

Among many stalwarts of the library profession, Ms Ch'ng is one who remains steadfast in her unwavering belief and conviction of libraries and librarians amidst today’s rapidly changing environment.

Synopsis of Talk

After nearly 40 years on the library hustings, some reflection is natural.

Librarianship as a profession was not a first choice, but in the late 60s, it was a new opening for women in Malaysia who had hitherto only two other choices: teaching (in schools) and nursing.

There was of course the law, medicine and engineering, but they were not within the grasp of the majority. Law was a first option, but it was not available in the peninsula, and it would be a financial burden.

Determined to avoid the trappings of teaching (a pervasive profession within the family), and nursing, was journalism. After a short stint, circumstances got in the way, and librarianship came into the fore the next best choice .

It was more than a year after postgraduate studies and practice, that the need to settle down and move on became a reality.

What does it mean to be a librarian? Is it a profession? Is it a calling? What are the benefits? Are there risks and hazards associated with its practice?

In the mid-eighties there was a passionate debate amongst Singapore librarians on the stress and lack of stress on being a librarian.

The raging debate spilt into the public arena, carried in the Straits Times. What does it take to be a librarian?

Is there a consensus today?

Speaker’s Profile

Ms Ch’ng Kim See is Head, ISEAS Library, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore.

A library and information specialist on Southeast Asian studies, she has written more than 40 articles, edited and indexed a number of books, and compiled several bibliographies, one of which is the Bibliography of Southeast Asia: A Decade of Selected Social Science Publications in the English Language 1990-2000 published by Scarecrow Press.

Her academic interest is in the history and politics of Malaysia, Southeast Asian Chinese, and the international relations of Southeast Asia and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

She is currently researching on Tan Cheng Lock, a Malaysian politician, founding president of the Malay(si)an Chinese Association. Prior to her present position, Ms Ch’ng worked in Kuala Lumpur as a journalist in the Straits Times Press; Head of Cataloguing, National Library of Malaysia; and Director/Chief Librarian of the U.S. Information Service Lincoln Cultural Center.

In Vienna, she was also Head of Technical Services, VIC Library, (a U.N. common-user service for 12 agencies in Vienna), Vienna International Centre. Ms Ch'ng has a B.A. (Hons.) (University of Malaya), Postgrad. Dipl. in Librarianship (University of New South Wales, Sydney), and M.Sc. (Soc. Sc. - Information Studies) (University of Sheffield).

She is a seventh-generation Baba/Nyonya, has travelled widely, and is interested in the arts, Buddhist meditation, qi gong, holistic and healthy living, charitable causes, environmental issues and human rights.

In 2001, Ms Ch'ng was nominated Outstanding Librarian of the region (for Singapore) by Ms Yolanda Beh, Chief Librarian of Regional Language Centre (RELC) . She has served in both Library Associations of Singapore and Malaysia – for over ten years in each association.

She was the President of the Library Association of Malaysia (Persatuan Perpustakaan Malaysia, PPM) from 1977 to 1978. After she moved to Singapore in 1988, she served in the Library Association of Singapore (LAS) from 1989 in various capacities, such as Council Member, Chair of various Committees and represented the LAS in the Committee to study the feasibility of a postgraduate school (PRIM).

She was the Hon. Secretary, Executive Board, CONSAL V (Fifth Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians), the conference of which was held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 25-30 May, 1981.

LAS Professional Development Scheme (PDS) Points: 46 (Applicable only to librarians who are participants of PDS)

Source of information: email from lassec@las.org.sg dated 3 May 2011

Visit to Micrographics Data Pte Ltd

The Programmes and Social Committee, LAS organised a field trip to Micrographics Data Pte Ltd today!

Micrographics Data Pte Ltd is a local supplier of micrographics and preservation equipment. Areas of service include microfilming, document scanning, specialised book/print binding and repairs.

For more details on their service and product, visit Micrographics Data at www.md.sg/

I would like to say that it is an enriching experience for me to see how collection maintenance is done at  Micrographics Data.

If you are  member of LAS, and miss the tour in Feb, do sign up for the next tour on 25 March.

The following is the details of my visit today:

Date: 25 February 2011 (Friday)

Time: 3 pm - 5 pm

Meeting Point:
Micrographics Data Pte Ltd
Blk 115A Commonwealth Drive #02-16
Tanglin Halt Industrial Estate
Singapore 149596

Itinerary of the tour:

Time / Programme
3.00 pm
Meet at Micrographics Data Pte Ltd
3.10 - 3.30 pm
Topic: Conservation & Preservation of Library Materials. By Pia Josephine (Paper & Book Conservator)
3.35 – 4.00 pm
Topic: A New Approach to Digital Preservation. By Kelvin Emmanuel (Director of Micrographics Data)
4.05 – 5.30pm
Q and A, Factory Tour of two sections: Preservation of Printed materials and Microfilming services
5.35 – 5.55pm
Refreshment and Interaction
5.55 - 6.00 pm
Receiving Gift from Micrographic Data and End of session

For those who are unable to make it to the tour, here are some useful information  for librarians or anyone who are intertest in information preservation.

Visit the site http://www.md.sg/ and you will get more details.

About Micrographics Data
http://www.md.sg/about.html

"Micrographics Data Pte Ltd is a Document Management and Preservation company which was incorporated in 1989 and remains one of the longest-running service providers in Singapore.

Micrographics Data provides a one-stop microfilming ...
... an innovative company, producing ... in-house environment-friendly processing chemistry Fixer and Eco-Developer, which are ready to use in deep tanks or tabletop-type processors.

... developed ... proprietary document management software, eZee AdminTM, for easy retrieval, keyword search and many other standard features of document management.

The latest innovative line of products is a COM equipment – ArchiveImage Writer, AW 1 Series. The AW 1 Series converts digital files directly onto a 16mm/35mm standard archival microfilm in either negative or positive master (B/W & Colour)...

...Micrographics Data has built over the years the only commercial document preservation department that has an Anoxic Chamber using nitrogen gas for disinfestation.

This state-of-the-art Anoxic Chamber effectively destroys larvae of all types of insects completely with its unique disinfestation process. It is safe and non-toxic thus preserving the original state of the articles. Micrographics Data also customises metal-edge archival boxes and supplies various types of acid-free boards (buffered and unbuffered) for storing precious items such as photographs, maps, manuscripts, treaties, etc..."

For more details, visit:
http://www.md.sg/about.html

Services

Microfilming
http://www.md.sg/services_microfilming.html

Micrographics Data uses only ISO-standard archival quality microfilm because no other media offers such long-time storage capabilities...

Microfilm
Paper to Microfilm Conversion
(a) Roll Films

(b) Microfiche

Digital to Microfilm Conversion

For more details, visit:

http://www.md.sg/services_microfilming.html

Digital Scanning

http://www.md.sg/services_scanning.html

• Document Scanning Services
• 
  Book Scanning Services 
• Microfilm Scanning Services

Micropublishing
http://www.md.sg/services_micropublishing.html

Document Preservation
http://www.md.sg/services_docpreservation.html


Products: Micrographics equipment & Preservation equipment
http://www.md.sg/products.html

Micrographics equipment

ArchiveImage Writer
Digital technology and software continue to evolve and revolutionise how information is captured, stored and distributed. Today’s rapid changes in IT systems, and especially technological obsolescence in both hardware/software solution and design, pose a real threat: loss of data and information.
 
ST ViewScan® -
MICROFILM CROSSOVER™ DIGITAL FILM VIEWER/SCANNER

ALL DIGITAL
The ST ViewScan® offers the newest and the best solution:

Preservation equipment and products
http://www.md.sg/products_preservation_1.html

Colibri Cover System
The CoLibri Pocket Machine is the backbone of the Colibri System. Using the machine in conjunction with our patented book covers , document pockets and gift bags you can easily and quickly protect all types of books, preserve documents and gift wrap a multitude of items in just seconds...

EXPM Book and Document Hygienisation Table with Suction

Protective Masks

Micro-Fibre Electrostatic Duster

EXPM Heavy Duty Wheeled Shelving

Tinyview Plus Data Logger

Museum Vac® with Hepa Filter & Disposable Cartridge

Disposable Latex Gloves

EXPM Archival Box

Iron Horse™ Book Trolleys

For more details, visit:
http://www.md.sg/products_preservation_1.html

Consulting service:
http://www.md.sg/consulting.html

Micrographics Data has extensive experience in the document management and preservation arena for over 20 years. They welcome any institute/organisation/individual who is interested in setting up a service bureau in their native country, or looking for solutions to their existing document management or preservation problems, to contact them.

Source of information:
http://www.md.sg/consulting.html

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Professional Development Scheme (PDS) Points

Eligible for PDS Points:

This activity attracts 36 points under the Industry Knowledge Development (ID) category.
"Participate in product/services briefing & demonstrations by vendor organized or approved by LAS"