Rencana-Rencana/ ArticlesREVIEW OF 1990-1991

Khoo Siew Mun*

Abstrak: PUM telah mara ke hadapan di dalam beberapa bidang pada tempoh 1990-1991.Sebagai tambahan kepada penyataan rancangan-rancangan pengkomputeran, beberapajenis perala tan besar dan kecil seperti kamera-kamera mikrofilem dan unit-unit hawa dingin,peralatan untuk pelajar-pelajar buta, sebuah van dan sebuah peti sejuk, telah diperolehi atautelah diluluskan perolehannya. Perubahan-perubahan kepada bangunan perpustakaan sep-erti foyer untuk Perpustakaan Utama, tangga dalam untuk menghubungkan tiga paras diPerpustakaan Majalah dan sebuah pondok untuk simpanan van Perpustakaan sedangdibina. Sokongan Universiti atas penubuhan dua buah unit kerja baru; belanjawan buku yanglebih besar; dan perjawatan Perpustakaan yang lebih besar amat menggalakkan. Sesi iniakan berakhir dengan Perpustakaan menyelaraskan sebuah bengkel serantau mengenaipemetaan anjuran IFLA.

Abstract: The period 1990-1991 has seen UML progress on many fronts. In addition torealizing plans for computerization, equipment big and small such as microfilming andair-conditioning units, equipment for the blind, a library van and a refrigerator, have beenacquired or approved. Physical improvements to library buildings such as the Main Libraryfoyer, an internal staircase linking three floors of the Periodicals Library and a van shelter arebeing built. University support for establishing two new functional units, a bigger bookbudget; and a bigger library establishment, has been most encouraging. The session willend with the Library coordinating an IFLA-sponsored regional workshop on mapping.

The Session 1990/91 has been such asignificant one for the Library that perhaps itshould not go without comment. In matters bigand small progress has been made, and for manyyearsto come, usersand staffalikewill benefit fromthe achievements of this period.

Computerization. The most significant event iscomputerization of the Library. After a twenty-yearstruggle, the University finally signed the Agree-ment on 26 December 1990 with SingaporeComputer Services Pte. Ltd. (SCS) and DigitalEquipment(Malaysia)Sdn. Bhd. to installthe ATlASpackage onto the 6410 to computerize on anintegrated basis, all aspects of the Library'soperations. The event is likely to result in manymonths of hard work, headaches and expectedtrial and tribulation. It will, of course, also even-tually result in propelling the Library to greaterefficiency and give it the. ability to offer a widerrange of services to its users. To mark this event,this issue of the Kekal is devoted to documentingvarious aspects of the project. For making thispossible, we have to thank the Ministry of Educa-tion for its understanding, foresight and genero-sity; the University administrators fortheir support;and not least of all the library's SUb-Committeeon

Library Computerization, which worked extremelyhard and competently on behalf of the Library tobring the exercise to a satisfactory conclusion.

Airconditioning. Perhaps as significant, butcertainly one which will bring more physicalcomfort to all who use the Main Library, is thedecision of University authorities to change the 30-year old air conditioning plant, which in latter dayshas been more down than working. In actual fact,the University Council had already agreed in 1989to purchase a new unit to replace the ancientsystem, and this was to have been effected in thelong vacation of the 1989/90 session. It wouldappear that someone decided unilaterally that thissumcould be 'saved' and the exercisewas stoppedmidway. Subsequently, the expected breakdownsto the air conditioning system, especially duringthe examination period, forced one and all to takenote of the library's appeals. The relevant fileswere exhumed and the situation reviewed. InFebruary 1991, Council reaffirmed its past deci-sion, to the relief of all. We thank the currentBursaryadministration for resuscitating the projectand supporting the Library's appeals; and theUniversity Council for their constancy of purpose,even though this delay has probably pushed costs

* Chief Ubrarian, University of Malaya

Kekal Abadi 10(1) Mac 1991

up by half a million ringgit from the original sumapproved a couple of years ago.

Microform unit. Like most equipment in theUbrary, UML's microfilming and microoching equip-ment dated back to the 1970s. By the late 1980s,frequent breakdowns were experienced, causinginexcusably long delays in UML's supplies ofmicroforms to sister institutions and users. TheUniversity authorities generously apprved $117,400in 1989 for a total system. The equipment, whicharrved in May 1.000,coosisted a a micrctilm camera,a microfiche camera, a processor and variousbasic accessories. The system has so far givenendless problems, associated mainly with the Ig-norance of all concerned in the proper methodol-ogyof using it. In April 1991, the vendors broughtin German expertise; and with the promised re-placement of the faulty parts in the processor, thesystem should be able to perform to expectations.

Arkenstone Reading System. This is a computerlearning system which makes it possible for theblind to 'read' the text of articles and books. Thesystem comprises scanning and reading softwareand a braille embosser. As a page of text isscanned in, the image is digitised and stored. It canbe displayed on the monitor or mechanically readout with a very high degree of accuracy. TheEmbosser is able to print the text in braille format.Thanks to the generosity of Malayan Banking Sdn.Bhd., the Library will be given the total systembefore the new session begins. The total gift willcost Maybank M$60,OOO.The Library and its blindusers have cause to be grateful indeed.

Library van. As with any library system of the sizeof UML, an enormous amount of fetching andcarrying, despatching and collecting, has to beattended to daily. The means of transport is crucialto these activities. In its 30 years of existence, theLibrary has been given two vans. The first was atiny Bedford Harimau (WD8392) which succeededthe Library's first vehicle, a three-wheeler. In 1982,an 'almost-new' Combi van, WAD112, which hadbeen used for about a year by the Estate Office,was given to the Library to replace WD8392, whichby then was both inadequate and dangerous touse. By the late 198Os, signs of wear and tearwere more frequently shown, and the van was onlyable to keep going due to constant repairs andmaintenance being carried out, and much careand attention being lavished upon it by the driver.Thanks to the support given to the Library by theEstate Office, the current Bursary administration

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and Finance Committee, WAD112wasrepiaced in1991 by a new Toyota Llteace (WCF 1087), a four-seater with adequate storage space, and which isfairly robust. In AprU 1991, Library requests for ashelter to be built for the Library van were alsoheeded and approved by the Estate Office.

Refrigerator. In March 1991, to help the Librarystaff face the long hot summer before the airconditioning plant is installed, the Estate Officemade available an almost new fridge. This hasbeen gratefully installed in the Conference Room.

Foyer. In conjunction with computerization, thelibrary foyer, particularly the present clumsy andbulky counter area, had to be redesigned. TheLibrary's proposals and plans have been approvedand works will be carried out in mid-1991. For this,we should record our gratitude to the Universityadministration, the Bursary and the Estate Office.

Internal staircase. For years now, the Libraryhas been suggesting that an internal staircase beconstructed to link the lower three floors of thePeriodicals Library. This staircase would be con-venient to both users and staff, and will alleviate thecurrent problem of staff shortages, as it is nowonly necessary to man one counter instead ofthree. This was finally approved in early October1990; work began soon after; and the staircasewill be ready for use by the new session.

New units. The Automation Unit which wasofficially established in October 1989, consolidatedits operations in 1990/91 with the loan of a SystemsAnalyst from the Computer Centre; a Technician(from Audio-Video Division); and a Typist (fromAcquisitions Division), who is now well-versed indesktop publishing.

In May 1991, the Official Publications Section willbe officially established and will move to perma-nent quarters on Level" of the Library's Phase IVBuilding. Simultaneously, the Malaysian Periodi-cals section will be created, housed on the samefloor. The University Archives with the Library'sexisting stocks of UM documents will also move tothe same area established. However, due to staffshortages, it is unlikely to see many leaps forwardfor a little while to come.

Binding backlog. For years now the Library hasbeen plagued by a backlog in the binding of itsperiodicals which has proved a nuisance to libraryusers. By 1990, the Medical Library also faced a

6,000 volume backlog; the rest ofthe system, some13,000 volumes. By dint of appeals, threats andreorganization of work processes, the decade-oldbacklog In Medical Library has been vanquished.A 'solution' of half-binding the main periodicalscollection In such a way as to keep issues togetherwithin soft covers means that by July 1991, the restof the backlog will also be overcome. The onlybacklog has been that mutilated copies from openstacks could not be properly repaired. However,Circulation staff showed tremendous enterprise inattending to this problem, and during the longvacations have repaired thousands of volumes.

Cataloguing backlog. Those of us who are alittle more ancient will remember the horrendouscataloguing backlogs of the late 1960s and 1970s.The special project undertaken in 1976 to rid theLibrary of its recorded 35,000 volume backlogsucceeded in clearing 27,000 volumes over fourmonths. But the problem was never completelysolved. In 1991, with a combination offactors suchas better technology, systematic work processes(and yes, alas, smaller book votes) the backlogwas finally totally cleared up. We congratulate theCataloguing Division for a job well done. Such istheir confidence that no backlogs will recur againthat book shelves lining the walls and standing inthe middle of the division have been entirely dis-mantled!

The book budget. Although the 1991/92 budgetis only marginally better than the 1990/91 budget,the $500,000 increase will permit some books to bebought to support teaching and new courses. Themain thing to be grateful for is the obvious feeling ofsupport for the Library especially by Chairman andMembers of the Library Committee. It Is apparentthat If funding is available, the Library will stronglybe supported to obtain some of it. The Library

. hopes to request additional funding later In theyear. In the meantime, for the first time in years,requests for new journals are being entertained forpossible subscription.

Posta. For close on to ten years now, the Libraryhas seen no significant increases in posts despitethe considerable expansion to the library systemand the many enhancements In services within it.In April 1991 , the University administration agreedto support Library requests for 34 new posts In allcategories for Its system of 10 libraries In the 1992budget. We realize that this Is subject to all mannerof approvals from funding government agencies.The crux of the matter Is that, the Library remains

grateful that within its own University, its problemsare being recognized. Thus even If not a single newpost is given, we would continue to give of our best,knowing that If this is not the best that the userdeserves, at least the causes are known and recog-nized by the top-most rungs of the Universityadministration. It is an encouragement indeed.

Additional library apace. Positive resultscan be recorded for library efforts to (a) regainthe use of space lent to other users; and (b) obtainadditional, new space. (a) In early 1991, an excel-lent beginning was made by the newly establishedAcademy for Malay Studies, which cooperatedvery closely with the Library in planning the useof the Muzium Etnografi Melayu. For the first timein two decades the area will be used jointly by thetwo departments for exhibitions, to house researchcollections and for other academic activities. Inaddition, from discussions with the Chairman andBoard members of the Kedaibuku Koperatif Univer-siti Malaya It would appear that KKUM is preparedto move out from the Library building into theirown building which will be planned for 1992. (b)The Library made a request, once more, in 1990for a new building, as the request made underthe Fifth Malaysia Plan was not entertained. TheLibrary has been assured that the University willconsider this as one of the priority items onceallocations under the Sixth Malaysia Plan havebeen made known. This will be planned for 1992.

IFLA Workshop. The academic year will endwith the Library coordinating an IFLA-sponsoredregional Workshop on Maps, Spatial Data andConservation, scheduled for 17-21 June 1991. TheWorkshop will see a panel of international andMalaysian Resource Persons and participantsfrom all over Southeast Asia meet over a hecticfive days to learn from and interact with eachother. The Workshop will be opened by YB Dr.Fong Chan Onn, Deputy Minister for Education; itwUI be closed by Dr. Haji Taib Osman, Vice-Chancellor, University of Malaya.

Conclusion. All these activities and projectshave been possible only with the goodwill andassistance of many. With the continuing supportof Library Committee, faculty, and administrativesections, the Library can more confidently takeon the new tasks that the new session will bring.On behalf of the Library, I should wish to mostgratefully record our thanks to all who have sogenerously contributed their time, attention, effortsand expertise to our development.

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