Malaysia 

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Directory Information	Collections
History	Reference and Reader Services
Organization	Automation
Buildings and Facilities	Statistics

Formal Name:        Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia (National Library of Malaysia)

Name of Librarian: Mrs. Mariam Abdul Kadir
Address:                 Tingkat 1, Wisma Sachdev, JI Raja Laut, 50572 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA
Phone:     03-2923144     Fax:     03-2917436

In 1966 the National Library was established as a unit within the National Archives, and in 1972 with the National Library Act, it became a department under the management of the Director General of Archives and National Library and began the provision of Reference services.  Lending services within the Federal Territory began in 1975 and the National Library became a Federal Government Department under the management of the Director General of National Library in 1977.  In 1977 and 1982, the National Library was designated the National Centre for the International Standard Serial Number and the National Centre for the International Standard Book Number respectively.  The National Library was designated the Centre for Malay Manuscripts in 1985.

 The Depository Library Materials Act established in 1986 mandates that the National Library of Malaysia act as the national Depository Center for Malaysian publications and have the following objectives.

(a)  to provide for the conservation and use of library materials published in Malaysia;
(b)  to create standard bibliographic record of library material published in Malaysia; and
(c)  to maintain statistical records of library material published in Malaysia

 Under the Act, Malaysian publishers are required to deposit 5 copies of printed materials and 2 copies of non printed materials to the National Library of Malaysia.

 The National Library Act amendment of 1987 provided the following objectives:

(a)  to make available for the use of present and future generations a national collection of library resources;
(b)  to facilitate nation-wide access to library resources available within the country and abroad; and
(c)  to provide leadership on matters pertaining to libraries.

 The Online Public Access Catalogue was begun in 1989 and the National Policy on Library and Information Services was established.  In 1992 the National Library moved to its new building on Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur.

 The National Library of Malaysia consists of 15 Divisions: Administration and Finance; Development; Training; National Depository Centre; Technical Services; Data Processing; Library Research; General Reference; Reading Promotion; Malaysiana Reference; Serial Service; Audiovisual; Conservation and Reprography; Centre for Malay Manuscripts and Public Relations.

 The staff of the National Library comprises 250 (74 professionals and 176 non-professionals) personnel and headed by the Director-General of the National Library of Malaysia.

 The National Library, as head of the Common User Service Scheme for Libraries is responsible for appointment, placement, transfer, confirmation, promotion, training and professional development of personnel.  To upgrade professional skills of library personnel, the Library conducts regular courses, in-service training, workshops, seminars and examinations.  The library is also designated as the coordinating agency for library assistants and librarians on training programme from developing countries under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme.

 In a striking blend of tradition and contemporary architectural design the National Library has a floor space of 238,000 sq.  ft. (22,037 sq. metres).  it can accommodate 1,000 readers at one sitting, 400 staff and one million volume collection.

 To reflect a Malaysian identity that symbolises intellectual achievement, the building's design concept hinges on the traditional Malay headgear--the tengkolok which is a symbol of pride and respect in Malaysian culture.  The tengkolok shaped roofs meet together Around an open-air amphitheatre courtyard to symbolise the unity of the country as well as to embody the three aims of the National Library.  Drawing inspiration from the country's rich cultural heritage, the roof incorporates songket design effect in blue tiles.

 The concept of the 'mind' lends its touch in the architecture of the interior.  Within the five vaults that make up the atrium immense areas of vertical spaces are laid out.  Skylights provide a contemporary counterpoint to the roof and a sense of infinite space.  The ambience of limitless space seeks to create an awakening of the intellectual faculties as the library user steps inside the foyer.

 There are seven levels housing various divisions and facilities in the library.  The path way to these floors is linked by a striking staircase.   Pleasantly laid-out, each floor accommodates a vast network of the library's different services.  The library, which is designed to be user-friendly, provides facilities for the handicapped library visitors.

 The library has a collection of approximately one million volumes.  There is a Malaysiana Collection  which contains publications on Malaysia by Malaysian authors as well as resources by foreign authors.  Malay manuscripts dating to the 17th century are conserved in this section.  A range of contemporary and traditional tapes, compact discs, and video tapes is available.  A variety of journals, magazines, newsletters, annual reports and newspapers is available.

 The library catalogues all publications received and indexes journals, conference proceedings, newspapers and produces various bibliographies on Malaysia information resources as well as for catalogues on Malay manuscripts.  It is also a centre for Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP).  The National Library is also the centre for ISBN (International Standard Book Number) and ISSN (International Standard Serial Number), as well as for ASTINFO (Regional Network for Exchange of Information and Experience in  Science and Technology for Asia and the Pacific Region) and APINESS (Asia Pacific Network on Social Sciences).

 The publications include:

Malaysian National Bibliography
Malaysian Periodicals Index
Index to Malaysian Conferences
Malaysian Newspapers Index
Various Bibliographies
Selective Catalogues
Sources of Information on Malaysia
Cataloguing-in-Publication
Sekitar: buletin Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia

 The library provides reference, referral and research facilities via telephone, telex, fax, correspondence and personal inquiries.  Literature search of published sources on specific subject areas is provided for researchers on request.  In addition to literature search bibliographies on various subjects can also  be compiled upon request.  subject to the provisions of the Copyright Act 1987 and Copyright Act (Amendment) 1990, photocopies of materials in the National Library's collections can be made on each level of the library.  Microfilm and microfiche copies are also provided on request.  Lending service for adults and youths is available.  Included are lending service, bulk loans, reader advisory service and additional activities such as youth theater, talks and Reading Club activities.  The children's library is located in the National Library and its services include: lending, reader advisory, reference, and extension activities such as children's theater, puppet show, storytelling sessions, handicrafts, drawing and recreation.

 Online services of the National library began in 1989 in 1989.  Involvement in computerization goes back to 1978 when the National Library was involved in the MALMARC (Malaysian Machine Readable Catalogue) Project.  Library users will be able to get access to the holdings of the national Library databases through its Public Online terminals at the Reference and Lending Divisions.  Databases Include:

Binar--Database on National Library's collection
Mentari--Database on Malaysian Periodical Indexes
Pancaran--Database on Malaysian Conference     Proceedings
Suria--Database on Malaysian Newspaper Indexes
Livecom Beriteks Sirimlink
Database in CD-ROM--Dialog Information Services

 The library has been designated as the distribution centre for micro CDS/ISIS software for Malaysia.  In addition, the library is involved in a number of programmes which serves to develop and network libraries.

Books   858,421
Serials   20, 838
Maps    2,342
Other printed materials 14,118
Malay manuscripts 1,724
Non-book materials 50.386
Total collections  947,829

Staff    400