USM Library
www.lib.usm.my       Home
  Hamzah Sendut Library 1 & 2 : Services : Reference and Research Services

Reference and Information Services are given to registered members of the Library. Among the services provided are:

Reference queries and information, Reader  Education, research workshops and sessions, KRISALIS training, access to electronic information and databases, newspaper cuttings and Company Reports.  Queries may be e-mailed to rujukan@notes.usm.my

Entertain queries and information research and retrieval
The objective of this service is to assist Library users in searching and retrieving information in their fields of interests and at the same time to bring to their attention other relevent sources in their fields.

User Education Programme
The objective of this service is to assist USM students and other Library members to use the Library and the Library resources effectively. Our activities are:-

Workshops on Information Research and Retrieval (For USM students and other registered Library members only)
During each workshop group of not more than 30, students will be exposed to Library skills. They will be introduced to reference sources in their respective fields and the most effective way of retrieving the needed information. They will also be taught how to search information electronically via the CD-ROM databases and online databases, foreign and local. Lecturers are encouraged to arrange workshop sessions for their students.

Information Search Skills training sessions 
(For USM students only)
These training sessions are planned for small groups of not more than 10 students. A Reference Librarian will sit together with the group to formulate search strategies and search the relevant Library resources in their respective field/project/research. The Librarian will also instruct and assist the group the correct way of looking up indexes and abstracts relevant to their research as well as teach them how to write down their reference citations. Students are encouraged to approach the Reference Librarians at the Reference Counter on the second level, Main Library I to arrange for training sessions.

ONLINE Services
This is a service whereby you can access foreign and local databases by connecting to information centre hosts overseas, as well as databases developed by the Library. These services are located on level Hamzah Sendut Library 1.

Local databases
NSTP Online Reference Service. This service is provided by the New Straits Times Press (Malaysia) Berhad. It includes a database on news articles that are published in the Group’s newspapers - the New Straits Times/Sunday Times, Berita Harian/Berita Minggu, Harian Metro and Malaysian Business; a database of companies profiles; a database of public figures; a database of brief information on foreign countries and a database of Malaysian states. This is also a fee-based service and charges are according to the actual costs incurred plus a RM1.20 service charge per search. You can do the search on your own or ask for a Librarian’s assistance. Results of the search done by a Librarian can be collected after 1 working day.

PALMOILIS is a database developed by Institut Penyelidikan Minyak Kelapa Sawit Malaysia (PORIM). The database contains information on oil palm, resource persons and personalities in the palm oil and fat industry in Malaysia.

SIRIMLINK is a database developed by Institut Piawaian dan Penyelidikan Perindustrian Malaysia (SIRIM). This database contains information on Malaysian standards, patents and quality procedures.

Databases developed by the Library. They are:

PKTA - Bibliographic information on Universiti Sains Malaysia Staff Publications

MBIB - Bibliographic information on the socioeconomic aspects of Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.

RISA - Bibliographic information on the pamphlet collection in the Library.

Please approach our staff at the Reference Counter on Level 2 Hamzah Sendut Library 1 for assistance.

Newspaper cuttings collection and Company annual reports

  • The Newspaper cuttings collection is available at the Reference Counter on Level 2, Main Library I. Newpaper cuttings on selected topics can be borrowed for a period of 2 hours only. The articles are selected from 4 local newspapers - the New Straits Times/Sunday Times, Berita Harian/Berita Minggu, the STAR, Sunday Star and Utusan/Mingguan Malaysia. The index for the collection is available at the Reference counter, Level 2 and the Reader Advisory Desk at Hamzah Sendut Library 1. 

  • Company annual reports are available for 2 hour loan at Reference Counter, Hamzah Sendut Library 2. Please approach Counter personnel for the service.

Industries and Science Information Service (MIDAS)

This service is specially tailored for the industries and trade communities in the northern region of the peninsula. Special Library membership is offered to employees of companies who wish their staff to use out Library’s facilities. Small and Medium industries are welcomed. Membership is offered at a fee. MIDAS Bulletin a special bi-monthly bulletin updating on the trade and commercial information, product information, book reviews, recent additions of British Standards to the Library’s collection, research information from USM and current awareness service is inclusive in the membership. The Bulletin can be accessed on the Internet.

Rules and Regulation
All users must abide by Rules and Regulations as stipulated by the Library. A copy of the Rules and Regulations may be obtained from the Reader's Advisory Desk.

For further information, please approach our librarian at the Reference counter on the second level, Hamzah Sendut Library 1 or call extension number 3723 or email: rujukan@notes.usm.my or contact:-