No more hardcopy copyright forms

In June 2010, the Library and the Enterprise Information Systems(EIS) division of IITS jointly launched a new system which totally revamps the library’s process in managing copyright forms. It not only enhances the efficiency of the process, but also introduces a new improved user experience to faculty and administrative staff.

SMU is required to comply with the record keeping requirements, as defined in Section 52 of the Singapore Copyright Act, for multiple copying of works conducted by its Faculty. This is also a requirement in the agreement that the University signed with the Copyright Licensing and Administration Society of Singapore (CLASS). The Course Reading Data Management System, or CRDMS in short, allows faculty to fill and submit copyright forms online for readings that they distribute to their students in their courses. It also encompasses administrative functions that allow library staff to manage the readings that they distribute on behalf of faculty to students.

We project that this new system will result in at least S$40,000 in annual savings on library resources required to manage the hardcopy forms and data manually. This allows staff to focus on the quality of services to faculty in their teaching and research. In addition, the storage of forms is totally electronic, eliminating the need to have a physical storage space for 7 years of forms. It also enhances faculty user experience, giving them easy access and features to manage their readings and forms online.