By Yeo Eng Ling Lynn*
(13 Mar 2024) In late last year, Yeo Eng Ling Lynn, Librarian from Singapore Management University (SMU) Libraries took part in the “A Day in the Life” programme, serving as both a participant, and host coordinator for SMU Libraries. This experience proved to be enlightening, providing the opportunity to forge connections with like-minded professionals from other libraries.
About the “A Day in the Life” Programme
The “A Day in the Life” programme started in 2013 as a collaborative staff development programme and is run twice a year. Its objectives include fostering exposure to other academic library environments, sharing of best practices, and connecting library staff across different libraries. The target audience are library professionals who are new to the academic library environment, or staff who would benefit from being exposed to other academic libraries. As a new member of SMU Libraries, I was nominated to participate and to serve as the coordinator and host for SMU Libraries during the November 2023 run.
During this run, three academic libraries, National University of Singapore Libraries (NUS Libraries), SMU Libraries, and Singapore University of Social Sciences Library (SUSS Library), served as hosts to participants from National Institute of Education Library (NIE Library); Nanyang Technological University Libraries (NTU Library); NUS Libraries; SUSS Library; The Ngee Ann Kongsi Library, Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT Library); Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD Library), and SMU Libraries. Each participant spent a full day at each host library, gaining insights into the operations and services offered.
Day One: NUS Libraries
 The BookBridge at NUS Libraries |
 An immersive experience all round |
On the first day, the participants visited NUS Libraries. Tim Yap Fuan, Principal Librarian, guided the group through the BookBridge in the NUS Central Library, highlighting the rare book collection housed in a controlled environment with regulated temperature and humidity. The BookBridge features bookshelves constructed with Mass Engineered Timber (MET), a renewable, sustainable building material. The BookBridge virtual tour is available here. The exploration then extended to Tech Central, where interactive spaces like 360imx, TEL Imaginarium, Digital Scholarship Lab, and Recording Studio were highlighted. The group toured the Central Library, Wan Boo Sow Chinese Library, and the Medicine+Science Library. Newly designed in 2023, the Medicine+Science Library has a capacity of more than 1200 seats, with tech-enabled and collaborative spaces for users.
Day Two: SMU Libraries
Participants at the Kwa Geok Choo Law Library
On the second day, SMU Libraries hosted the participants, with a series of sharing sessions and the tour of the Li Ka Shing and Kwa Geok Choo Law Libraries, highlighting the technology-enabled spaces and systems. The Collections, Access, and Technology team shared insights into the initiatives aimed at driving digital transformation as part of the wider SMU Vision 2025. The Research and Data Services team delved into bibliometric support for faculty and the newly revamped Investment and Data Studio. This was followed by the Technology and Innovation team who shared about the digital transformation strategies adopted by SMU Libraries. Kamiliah Bahdar, Curator for SMU Art Collections and Programmes, shared details about the SMU Art Collection and how Augmented Reality (AR) elements were utilized to create interactive experiences. The Learning and Engagement team elaborated on the work of Research Librarians and shared on how library research skills align with the SMU Holistic Student Development Framework and peer-to-peer initiatives conducted by the Library Peer Advisors. Aaron Tay, Lead, Data Services, shared details about the inaugural Library Hackathon on Generative AI which involved industry and librarian mentors and pre-event workshops. The participants yielded design applications that could revolutionise the way users interact with libraries and conduct research.
Technology enabled spaces in SMU Libraries
The day concluded with a thought-provoking reflection session facilitated by Rajen Munoo, Head of Learning and Engagement around two questions. The group considered the critical skills that librarians need in today’s dynamic environment and rightly noted learning agility, having a digital mindset, and the myriad of literacies such as information, digital and data literacies. Responding to the other question on staying abreast of trends in the LIS field, participants noted networking with peers, attending library related conferences, talks, workshops, industry updates and reading articles as examples, not forgetting social media, and visiting other libraries. Overall, the group acquired numerous insights from the sharing sessions and reflections.
Day Three: SUSS Library
On the third day, the group visited the recently launched SUSS Library, where they were welcomed by the sight of a creative Christmas tree made entirely of books.
Creative Librarians create a Christmas-book Tree
The tour of the newly renovated library reveals user friendly spaces such as discussion rooms, call pods, and study spaces equipped with wireless charging pods. Various teams conducted sharing sessions. The Reference, Instruction and Communication Team shared on library workshops and classes, curation of resources and research consultation sessions to engage users and support user needs. The Collections Team shared on the management of the collections, including acquisition, evaluation and facilitation of access and discovery. The User Services Team shared on the spaces and facilities in the library. Additionally, the Library Technologies Team shared on the systems, applications, platforms, and initiatives that facilitates the use of library resources and services. The group also discussed about what a digital library is, and what an ideal library would look like.
A framed photo opportunity
“A Day in the Life” programme is an example of academic libraries collaborating with each other to share and exchange knowledge as part of the continuing professional development of new academic librarians. Through the “A Day in the Life” programme, participants gained valuable insights into the operations of different academic libraries, developed an appreciation of the best practices of the libraries, and discovered common goals in supporting the teaching, learning, and research needs of users. The enriching experience enables librarians to enhance their skills in this ever-evolving world.
*Yeo Eng Ling Lynn is now Librarian at Singapore Management University. She can be reached via email: [email protected]
