LibConnect September 2016

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From the Desk of Gulcin Cribb University Librarian
		A very warm welcome to a New Academic Year. We are looking forward to interacting with most of you in the new academic year whether it is through our services, research skills classes the librarians conduct, responding to your enquiries or helping you with your learning and research needs. If you have not noticed the paintings on the walls on level 4 of the Library yet, I would encourage you to come and take a look. A collection of contemporary paintings that explore art, culture, education and politics in Myanmar is part of the Thukhuma collection, on loan to SMU from Professor Ian Holliday, Vice-President and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Teaching and Learning) at the University of Hong Kong. The Library recently played host to a major international conference of business librarians. Over 80 librarians from 22 countries attended the conference and discussed the latest trends and activities taking place in research libraries focusing on business. The participants were entertained by SMU’s Malay Language and Cultural Club and enjoyed various fresh produce from the SMU Grow plots. Library staff have been working very hard to ensure the new Kwa Geok Choo Law Library is ready to offer its services to the SMU community in early January 2017. The unique and iconic Dome of the Law Library is now up and can be seen from higher floors of most SMU buildings and Fort Canning Park. I wish you all a productive, fulfilling and enjoyable new academic year. I am looking forward to interacting with as many of you as I can throughout the year. Best wishes, Gulcin Cribb

		eResources Day Electronic resources day or "Finding Database Online Resources daY" was held on Friday, 16 September, which brought library users and database vendors together. This event aimed to promote and increase awareness of the e-resources that the library subscribes to. Fifteen databases vendors (including Springer, IEEE, S & P Capital IQ and Westlaw) were invited to display and demonstrate their products to library users, and the booths were visited by over 240 postgraduate and undergraduate students. Students appreciated the opportunity to discover useful databases and interact with librarians and the vendors. Many of the participants received goodie bags and lucky draw prizes contributed by the vendors.

Aung Khaing, Dancers (2013) Acrylic on canvas 36″ x 48″		Thukhuma Collection @ Library The next time you are looking for a seat in the Li Ka Shing Library, head to Level 4 and choose to be inspired by the artwork that surround you! The paintings by Burmese artists depict culture, society and politics in contemporary Myanmar and have been on display in the library since the start of Term 1, August 2016. These paintings are part of the Thukhuma collection, and are on a five-year loan to SMU.

		Changes to Lending Policy In this new term, the library has made some enhancements to its lending policy, such as extending 2-hour Course Reserves loans to 3-hours, locating 3-day loans to the general collection and limiting loan entitlements for faculty, post-doctoral and PhD students to 100 items at any time. These enhancements were made to expand access to library materials for the SMU community.

		Oral History on Mediacast “Growing SMU”, the second phase of our oral history, is now available for viewing on the new Mediacast site. It showcases key members of the SMU community who have contributed significantly to the university’s growth and transformation into a premier institution. This project was a collaboration between the Library and IITS and features interviews conducted with six individuals who have shared their personal stories, anecdotes and memories of SMU. Phase 1 (“Conceptualising SMU”) of the Oral History project was completed and launched in 2012 as part of the Patron’s Day celebrations.

		EIU Market Indicators & Forecasts EIU Market Indicators & Forecasts database provides data and forecasts on a range of industries, including financial services, automotive, energy, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, technology, consumer goods, F & B, transport, travel and tourism. Users can retrieve risk ratings such as country credit risk, business operational risk, as well as competitiveness ratings like labour costs and education levels. Commodity prices are also available. (Access from the Library website > Databases > E > EIU Market Indicators & Forecast)

		We are on Snapchat! Add the library to take a peek into what goes on behind the scenes... you never know what you may see! Scan the snapcode on the left or 'friend' us @smulib.

		Come back and visit us! "The library has always been like my second home. Thank you very much for making the library so accessible especially the Learning Commons (Always reliable) :-)" － August graduating SMU student
		New Library Staff
Danping Dong		Danping is the new librarian with Scholarly Communication. Her major roles lie with research data management initiatives, training of higher degree students in citation reporting, as well as ensuring the smooth operation of IRIS and InK. Should you need any help in research data, IRIS or InK, just contact dpdong [at] smu.edu.sg (subject: LibConnect) (Danping).