NUS Libraries

Kicking off our series of seasonal must-reads with 3️⃣ incredible books from the region that you won't want to miss! Scroll to read find out our librarians and curator have to say about their book recommendation.😀

Stay tuned for more recommendations from our librarians! 📚✨

Discover the remarkable journey of Yeap Chor Ee, the founder of Ban Hin Lee Bank, whose life epitomises the rags-to-riches story. His private papers, now preserved and accessible to the world, provide a rare glimpse into his extraordinary life and legacy. These documents also offer valuable insights into the broader socio-historical context of the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia. Learn more: https://ow.ly/3AGg50T6gaC.

🎈🎉We had a blast at the Student Life Fair 2024, connecting with more than 1000 students and showcasing our "THE1004 -Learning to Learn" Course as part of the NUSOne initiative!

This course focuses on practical methods to enhance student learning both inside and outside the classroom. Ready to unlock your full potential? Reach out to us or visit https://ow.ly/1Oge50T2H7S to embark on this transformative journey! 🚀

This groundbreaking book sheds light on the Indian coolie women who defied the odds and contributed to the success of the rubber industry in British Malaya. Dive into the untold stories of courage and resilience, where agency and empowerment redefined history. Learn more: https://ow.ly/vaqS50STuyS

NUS Libraries was the sole recipient of a prestigious Presidential Citation from the American Libraries Association during their Annual Conference held from 27 June to 2 July in San Diego. Awarded annually, the ALA Presidential Citation recognises exemplary services and projects that draw attention to libraries outside the United States, that are creating positive change, demonstrating sustainability and providing a model for others.

The ALA Presidential Citation commended NUS Libraries "for creating a space that connects the library, faculty, public sector, and NGOs, providing technology that can be used to support the sciences and humanities, and for building a centre that serves as an example to others around the world."

“NUS Libraries’ Tech Central team is deeply grateful for the award. We see it as a validation of our commitment to utilizing technology for digital curation, digital humanities research and creation in a scalable, sustainable and innovative way,” said Dr Magdeline Ng, Vice University Librarian and Cluster Head of Digital Strategy and Innovation at NUS Libraries. She added, “We see this citation as recognition of the impact of the team’s work towards excellence in using librarianship and digital scholarship for learning and research, serving as an exemplar for libraries around the world.”

Read more at: https://nus.edu/alapc24-sa

📚✨ What a tremendous honour for us to be entrusted with the private papers of the late businessman and philanthropist Yeap Chor Ee, affectionately known as the “Grand Old Man of Penang”. The Yeap family presented the papers to NUS Libraries in a simple ceremony on 29 July.

University Librarian, Associate Professor Natalie Pang, expressed her gratitude for this significant contribution, saying, "We are honoured to house Yeap Chor Ee's private papers at NUS Libraries. This collection will undoubtedly enrich our archives and provide an unparalleled resource for those studying the history and development of Southeast Asia. We are committed to preserving and making these documents accessible to the academic community and the public."

The event also featured a panel discussion led by esteemed scholars (Dr Azhar Ibrahim, Dr Kwee Hui Kian and Dr Seng Guo Quan), which delved into the Straits Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia, exploring themes of business, identity, and community building. A special highlight was hearing from Daryl Yeap, great-granddaughter of Yeap Chor Ee, who shared fascinating insights into the research of her two books, in which she explored the journeys of her ancestors and the broader cultural and historical context of their lives.

Guests were also treated to an exhibition of some of the Yeap Chor Ee papers, as well as a special digital presentation at our 360imx facility, which provided a deeper understanding of Yeap Chor Ee’s extraordinary impact and the rich socio-historical context surrounding his legacy.

The event also featured the presentation of a painting of the late philantropist and businessman Oei Tiong Ham, who was one of Yeap Chor Ee’s business partners, and whose families are related by marriage. The painting was presented by the late Mr Oei’s granddaughter-in-law, Mrs Nunthinee Tanner. Both Oei Tiong Ham and Yeap Chor Ee had also donated to Raffles College and the University of Malaya respectively, which were precursor institutions to NUS.

📚 The EA atrium was alive with excitement as our freshmen gathered for the CDE Freshmen Welcome 2024 on 19 July! 🎉 Our librarians Patsy and Kim Kee made it a great get-to-know-you session, engaging students with a fun quiz and introducing them to our vast library resources. Welcome to a new chapter of learning and discovery! 📖✨NUS College of Design and Engineering

Did you know that illegal wildlife trade has been a pressing issue long before our independence? Our library houses an extensive collection of resources that delve into this critical subject, including rare and historical documents dating back to the 1800s. 📚✨

Explore our vast resources and deepen your understanding of the wildlife trade through our blog article and special exhibition. Read more: https://ow.ly/HNKm50SIQ8s.

There are few things as satisfying as bringing joy to others. Our library team took time off work on 10 July to bring digital well-being and emerging technologies to Primary school students at Morning Star Community Services in Sengkang and Bedok North.

Librarians, library staff - including University Librarian A/P Natalie Pang - and student volunteers from CNM Connects (who designed the sessions!) prepared activities, lessons, as well as gift packs and yummy tea-time snacks, made possible through cash contributions by library staff, and our friends at Good Day Cafe 🥰 Swipe ⏩️ ⏩️ for a glimpse of the action!

The teams conducted digital well-being sessions and introduced AR and VR technologies to students. All sessions were all well-received, with the VR headsets being the most popular. Even though this was the first encounter with VR for many of the students, they took to it like fish to water.

The afternoon passed all too swiftly, and both students and volunteers were sad to say goodbye. We left the centres with our hearts full, glad to share our digital expertise and resources to help shape these young minds. We were truly blessed to be a blessing! 🙌

Discover the powerful and poignant history behind "The Comfort Women of Singapore in History and Memory". This book delves into the untold stories of women and girls forced into sexual slavery during WWII, offering deep insights into a dark chapter of our past. A must-read for anyone interested in history, memory, and resilience. Learn more: https://blog.nus.edu.sg/linus/2024/07/09/the-comfort-women-of-singapore-in-history-and-memory

While our students enjoy a well-deserved summer vacation, we’ve been keeping busy! Most recently, NUS Libraries hosted a group of Chief Librarians from the International Alliance of Research Universities - a collaboration between 11 of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. Six Chief Librarians and representatives from The ANU Library, ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Cambridge University Library, University of Cape Town Libraries, University of Copenhagen libraries, and Bodleian Libraries joined us in late June to discuss the latest developments in the academic library space, as well as exchange views on common areas of interest and concern. NUS Libraries also had the opportunity to showcase our latest innovations in the areas of tech-enabled learning and how we are evolving to keep pace with National University of Singapore’s educational reforms.

“It was inspiring to see all that you’ve achieved together, and to come away full of ideas and possibilities,” said Dr Jessica Gardner, University Librarian and Director of Library Services at Cambridge University Library, adding, “it was wonderful to see and hear about your digital transformation, learn about NUS’ educational reforms and the libraries’ strategy from the library team and NUS’ senior leadership.”

Barbara and Leonard Andaya have profoundly shaped the field of Southeast Asian studies with their influential works. Dive into our curated list of some of their most impactful texts ✨📚. Whether you're a student, scholar, or history enthusiast, these foundational works are a must-read: https://ow.ly/TIVx50SvFpx.

Was “Mat Salleh” a nationalist hero or a rebel menace? 🤔
 
At our recent Decolonial Dialogues workshop, we delved into the importance of recognising diverse narratives in historical records, and how examining multiple perspectives can shape our understanding of the past - including how we can re-think “Mat Salleh’s” role in the Mat Salleh Rebellion (1895-1903)!
 
Together with our librarian Diyana and student curator Diyanah, we delved into the decolonial methodologies and theories behind the research that shaped the ongoing exhibition “Mat Salleh (Meng-)amok: Uncovering Indigenous Resistance in the Scramble for Borneo”. From the selection of exhibition pieces to crafting the exhibition title, Diyanah also shared the considerations and challenges she faced in bringing the exhibition to life, and some pointers for students who are keen to participate in the next iteration of Decolonial Dialogues. The event concluded with a lively Q&A session, where participants from various disciplines engaged in discussions about the decolonisation movement and had a chance to explore the exhibition!

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Excited about curating and contributing to meaningful discussions? We want to hear from you! Work with our rare colonial-era or Singapore-Malaysia collections to create an exhibition, workshop, and/or talk on a topic of your choice for our next iteration. Find out more via link in bio.

✨Recap the best moments at the NUS Libraries booth during the CHS Open House🎈! Check out our immersive activities 👾, the rare books 📚on display and discover how we collaborate with FASS and FoS departments 😎. Full story on our blog: https://ow.ly/ZQbH50RWeQO

It takes a village to grow Honesty Coffee. At our recent event, the students behind Honesty Coffee spilled the beans on their challenges and triumphs of running a coffee business, over a cup of coffee ☕of course.

👩‍👧‍👦 The supportive “villagers” also shared their part in bringing Honesty Coffee from ideation to fruition. 🤝

Never heard of Honesty Coffee or tried their brew? Check them out at CLB Level 4!

"I am humourous, romantic and vivacious." 🤣

Meet Max, a Thai-born, Singapore-based essayist, poet and a student of the Creative Writing track in the Arts & Humanities major. Find out what he does as our student peer tutor!

Staff Spotlight | Max Pasakorn Meet Max, our student peer tutor at the NUS Libraries Writers' Centre!

"Beyond the Singapore Girl: Discourses of Gender and Nation in Singapore" interrogates the iconic figure of the "Singapore Girl," a symbol synonymous with Singapore Airlines' image of a beautiful, petite and servile woman in its long running advertising campaigns. The book explores the intricate interplay between gender and national identity in the context of Singapore, offering readers a crash course in understanding how gender constructions in Singapore were shaped and influenced to a large degree by the State, and the ways in which women reclaim and challenge the prevailing gender norms in Singapore. Learn more: https://ow.ly/aifm50R5x7e.

In collaboration with the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM), the much-anticipated book launch of "8½ Hours in Singapore" unfolded at the Central Library last Wednesday.

Authored by LKCNHM’s Biodiversity Histories team, this book drew inspiration from the late 19th century Japanese artist, Kubota Beisen, whose travel narrative contains some of the earliest depictions of Singapore’s biodiversity, deftly captured during his fleeting 8½ hours spent during transit.

The book is both a culmination and celebration of more than 1.5 years of research, in which the team explored Singapore’s historical biodiversity by collecting historical data through the NUS Libraries collection, visual materials, field notes, oral histories, examining artefacts, and other forms of records.

“It is through projects such as ‘8½ Hours in Singapore’, that we see the deep value of what NUS’ various collections and collections-related entities like NUS Libraries, and the LKCNHM can offer,” said NUS University Librarian, Natalie Pang. “Our partnership enables us to connect the dots between time and space. By applying our respective disciplines to interrogate and research and interpret these collections, we can create fresh insights and knowledge. I'm really happy that such collaborations can exemplify an interdisciplinary approach to education.”

Read about the event at https://lkcnhm.nus.edu.sg/celebrating-the-book-launch-of-8%c2%bd-hours-in-singapore/.

Siu Chen is a delightful soul who embodies the essence of warmth 🌞 and authenticity. With an easy-going demeanor, she navigates life 🧭 with enthusiasm and an open mind. Siu Chen was law-trained 👩🏻‍🎓 but she decided to become a librarian instead (coz librarians are way cooler 😎). Though she claims to be a Type A personality, we think she has all the positive traits associated with it while lacking any negative ones. Check out what she reads. 🕵️‍♀️

Annyeong! This is Mi-Kyeong, our korean unnie who maintains seamless access to the library’s collection 📚of over 1 million e-resources (tough work but somebody’s got to do it💪). Mi-Kyeong moved to Singapore in 2008 and joined our library in 2011. She loves Singapore’s evergreens but also misses Korea’s four seasons 🌸🌳🍁☃️. Mi-Kyeong’s motto is to live joyfully and appreciate each day 😇. Check out her recommended read (the strength of the main character reminds us of her). 🕵️‍♀️