NTU Libraries have a range of library materials that cater to various learning needs and preferences. The print collection, which currently stands at more than half a million books, is growing at about 40,000 volumes per year. Students and academic staff can borrow up to 10 and 40 books, respectively, at any one time. Most audio visual materials numbering about 17,000 items, can be viewed on any computer on campus. The Libraries’ rich electronic resources comprise more than 140 subscribed databases and 27,000 unique e-journal titles covering all disciplines. These e-resources can be accessed from anywhere – in dormitories, homes and even from other countries. The full text of student theses and examination papers is also available in the Information Repository.
To help users exploit and use the vast resources, the libraries provide a range of information finding and research tools. The Library Catalogue, for instance, can be used to search books and AV materials. Besides bibliographic information, the catalogue also displays images of book covers, content pages, book summaries, reviews and other useful information.
Users can browse every issue of e-journals we subscribed to, find articles in individual databases or search across databases using a federated search engine. The Library also provides tools to help users store, organise, format and annotate their search results. Other tools are constantly being added.
Services
Our librarians assist users in using library resources and tools, and conduct popular classes on how to do literature reviews, find and use information effectively and understand the scholarly communication environment. All our librarians specialize in various subject disciplines and can help users resolve information seeking problems in their course areas. They also organise regular get-togethers with users to obtain feedback and establish good working relationships.
The Libraries
The eight well-equipped libraries on campus provide a conducive space for learning and study with 500 workstations and network printing facilities.
Lee Wee Nam Library
This 6,000m2 main library building, which currently houses the Science and General Reference collections, will be expanded to more than 15,000 m2 by 2012, to become the Lee Wee Nam Engineering and Science Library to serve the needs of users better, particularly in terms of collections, reading, consultation and library instructional spaces.
Library 2
Besides housing a strong collection of materials in the various engineering disciplines, this library also has a comprehensive collection of books and journals in the main business disciplines of accounting, banking & finance, economics, management, human resource, marketing, strategy, business law and taxation. The Library has about 100 workstations and houses the Reserve Book Room.
Art, Design & Media Library
This distinctive library at the School of Art, Design and Media reflects the creative and artistic nature of its environment. It has a collection of over 19,000 books on art, design and media, and a strong collection of AV materials. Interesting areas in the library include a mini cinema, individual AV viewing carrels, flexible seating spaces and a large, writable wall of black glass.
Asian Communication Resource Centre
This library at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information maintains a comprehensive collection of materials specializing in the disciplines of communication and information science and related topics, such as advertising, broadcasting, communication studies, information studies, journalism, knowledge management, library science, media law and ethics. It also actively acquires materials pertaining to communication in Asia and houses conference proceedings and research reports produced by Asian Media Information and Communication Centre.
Chinese Library
The Chinese Library has 60,000 volumes of Chinese books, mainly on Chinese literature, history, philosophy, linguistics, politics, economy and sociology and about 120 Chinese journals. E-resources include about 100,000 e-book titles and three major Chinese databases, which cover both Chinese journals and newspapers.
Humanities and Social Sciences Library
This library provides a growing collection relating to psychology, sociology, history, linguistics, literature, philosophy and public administration. In the near future, it will also build a Singapore collection. The library has facilities for group learning and quiet study and offers a rustic and cozy setting for reflection and leisure reading.
Media Resource Library
The Media Resource Library has a collection of videocassettes, audiocassettes, multimedia software, music compact discs, audio CDs, VCDs, DVDs, laser discs and slides. Documentaries and feature films are also available for teaching and general use.
Wang Gungwu Library
In September 2003, Professor Wang Gungwu made a generous book donation to the Resource Centre at the Chinese Heritage Centre. Subsequently, the Resource Centre was renamed the Wang Gungwu Library in recognition of Prof Wang's contribution to research on overseas chinese and for his generous donation. The Library came under the management of NTU Library in April 2007. It focuses on collecting materials relating to overseas chinese.
The strength of the NTU Library is in the wide range and depth of e-resources available, the high density of workstations, responsive and friendly library staff, and the popular instructional classes and outreach activities for staff and students. Users can look forward to many exciting developments as the Library expands over the next few years to meet the needs of NTU staff and students.