• Universiti Malaya Library
  • query_perpustakaan@um.edu.my
  • +603 79567800
logo
logo

Questions & Answers


Acquisition​​​​​​

 

Liaison Librarians liaise with academic departments, helping to identify resource needs and working directly with faculty.

 
 

Before you recommend a new book, please check Pendeta Discovery. We might already have this book, or it might be on order. Forward your recommendation to the Liaison Librarian for your Faculty. Materials for the libraries’ collections are selected principally by the faculty members and Librarians. However, anyone may suggest items to be considered for purchase subject to faculty’s or librarian’s approval.

 
 

It is difficult to predict how long it will take to get an individual book: one particular rush title and published locally may arrive in a week or two; another may take six months particularly those published overseas. The major academic book suppliers with whom we work can be slow: It may take three to four months to receive a title once ordered, and that is without any particular problems that might understandably cause delay. Please also note that once we have received a book, it generally takes a week for it to be cataloged, labeled, and subsequently made ready for borrowing.

 
 

You may check Pendeta Discovery for the status.

 
 

The list of recently acquired titles in the Library is displayed under What’s New in Pendeta Discovery.

 
 

Refer to the procedure and fill up the form which is available at the UM Library website.

 
 

Yes, the book will make available as the Library collection. Reimbursements claims may be submitted to the Acquisition Division together with the book and official receipt.

 
 

Please check Pendeta Discovery to determine whether the journal is already available at UM Library. Also note that many journals are now available in full text online via A-Z Online Databases. Journal requests go through a careful evaluation process because, once established, they represent an ongoing financial commitment to the Library’s operating budget.

 
 

The bulk of our collection reflects the needs of past UM curricula; to develop the most relevant collection, we rely on faculty members’ expertise to assist the library in identifying which areas are weak, what’s missing, and what may be weeded from the collection. Please share your expertise with your Liaison Librarian , and together we can maintain and continually develop a collection that supports the instructional and research programs of the institution.

 
 

We try to replace missing and damaged items when we can – depending on the Library budget and the availability of the items (many of the books are out-of-print).

 
 

The Library solicits and welcomes gifts of books, journals, and items in other formats, as well as gifts of money for the purchase of the library materials. Donated materials are evaluated by Librarian who determines items the library will add to the collection. Anyone wishing to make a donation should get in touch with the Head of the Acquisition Division.

 
 

Check Pendeta Discovery for an entry. If you do not find it there, you may check with the Acquisition Division.

 

Circulation​​​​​​

 

Borrowing privilege is subjected to the individual Library policy.

 
 

Borrowing privileges depend on user categories and item type. Refer to loan entitlement table.

 
 

Borrowing privileges depend on user categories and item type. Refer to loan entitlement table.

 
 

Books must be returned at the Service Counter or through the book drop.

 
 

Books can be returned at any Library except those from the Academic Reserve Collection.

 

Document Delivery​​​​​​

 

You can get a photocopy of the articles by requesting via online document supply form. Click here for more information about this service.

 

Electronic Resources​​​​​​

 

A-Z Online databases is a searchable electronic index of published, reliable resources. Databases provide access to a wealth of useful research materials from academic journals, newspapers, and magazines. Some databases also include e-books, relevant Web resources, and various multimedia.

 
 

List of databases subscribed by library is available here.

 

Interlibrary Loan​​​​​​

 

When the Library does not hold a book that you need. Universiti Malaya academic staff and postgraduate students can request for this service. The Library will endeavor to obtain this item from another library. Click here for more information about this service.

 
 

This service is only for academic staffs and postgraduate students. Request can be made via online services form available here

   
 

You will be notified via the registered email by the person in charge of ILL. Books need to be collected from the Client Services Division.

 
 

Universiti Malaya staff and postgraduate students are eligible to borrow materials from PERPUN participating institutions by using SPP (Sistem Pembekalan Penerbitan) form which is available at the Client Services Division.

 

Malaysiana​​​​​​

 

Za’ba Memorial Library is a 5 storey building which consists of Malaysiana, special and personal collection in Level 1 to Level 3; East Asian Library in Level 4; Archive and Indian Studies collection in Level 5.

 
 

Malaysiana collection comprises publications such as Malaysian history, economy, local research, politics, social and culture. Items such as books, journals, magazines, conference papers on Malaysia or its people published locally or abroad and not restricted to the language used or the period of publication are part of the Malaysiana collection. Special collections are early printed, rare books or personal collection acquired either through purchase or generous donations from scholars and other individuals. These resources will serve as a source of learning and research for the campus community. These materials are kept in closed stacks for preservation and users are allowed reference facilities at the designated reading areas. These include collection from the late Tan Sri Zainal Abidin bin Ahmad in the areas of Malay studies, including his personal letters (Za’ba Collection), Ungku Abdul Aziz an economist and a former Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Malaya (Ungku Aziz Collection), a Malay nationalist lbrahim Ya’kob (lbrahim Ya’kob Collection), Father Pintado collection of books during the Portuguese and Dutch colonization. Some examples of the Special Collections. The Archive Unit collects and preserves University publications on related historical materials that include paper correspondence, annual reports, minutes and reports, photographs, film, audio and video recordings and other electronic files.

 
 

Please refer  here for the opening hours of Za’ba Memorial Library.

 
 

Because most of our materials are rare and often only one copy is available, our staff must be at service desk at all times when researchers are using the collections. The large number of staff required means that we cannot be open as many hours as the rest of the libraries.

 
 

Basically all the collections are represented by bibliographic records available in Pendeta Discovery and users or interested parties should begin any search there.
It may also be helpful to email us or walk-in to Za’ba Library.

 
 

You are welcome to use Za’ba Memorial Library collection if you already hold a Universiti Malaya staff/student card. If you do not have one, or you would like any further guidance about access then please contact us directly by email at query_perpustakaan@um.edu.my, or telephone on +603-7956 7800.

 
 

Za'ba Memorial Library is a reference library. Collections can only be referred within the library premise.

 
 

We can generally provide scans, photographs, or photocopies, though some items are too fragile to copy, and in some cases we are prevented from making copies by contractual agreements with donors or by copyright considerations. Requests may be made in person, by phone, or by email and the turnaround time varies based on size of order, format and condition of the originals. For more information on reproductions, please contact us at query_perpustakaan@um.edu.my

 
 

Although we gratefully accept gifts and donations, if you wish to donate documents, personal papers, photographs, recordings, films or other materials, it is recommended that you discuss the gift with us first.

 

Photocopy​​​​​​

 

Yes and you are subject to the provision of the Malaysian Copyright Act 1987.

 
 

The photocopiers in the Library are available in the following methods of operation: Self-operated machine (using prepaid photocopy card) or photocopy operators. Photocopy cards can be bought from the photocopy operators at each station.

 

References​​​​​​

 

For beginner try using the “Quick Search” by entering your keywords and hit the “Words or Phrase” button.

 

Request for microform can be made at the Client Services office during office hour.

 
 

Ask at the LiveChat! A Librarian is available to help you most hours the Library is open. Its available on bottom right-hand side of this page. Don’t worry! While chat services are OFFLINE, you may still ask your question and will be replied via email as soon as possible. Just enter your question in the chat box to get started!

   
 

There are many ways to search for material on the Internet. But the simplest way to start with is by using any available search engines such as google scholar, yahoo and others.

 
 

Some materials used for courses are kept at the “Koleksi Teras Akademik” Section behind the Service Counter. These collection are available to all the students in your class. Pick-up the books that you needed from the shelf and borrow the book using the self-check machine provided inside the collection area.

 
 

First, check that you are at the correct shelf.

If you are at the correct shelf, check that you are at the correct place in the sequence. Books at the same number are then shelved alphabetically by the 3 or more letters following the number. Look along the shelf and above and below – even behind – as a book can be removed then replaced incorrectly.

The book may be in a reshelving area or another student may be using it within the library. Please refer to the reference desk for help if you are still unable to locate it.

 
 

You have to check the availability of the journal issue using Pendeta Discovery or A-Z Online Databases for the electronic format.

 

Visitor​​​​​​

 

The Central Library, Ahmad Ibrahim Library and TJ Danaraj Library are open on Mon – Fri: 8 am – 10.30 pm; Sat – Sun: 9 am – 4.00 pm. Click here for details

 
 

The UM Library online database are protected by strict licensing regulations and therefore are for the use of our registered UM staff and students only.

 
 

You can use the dedicated Library PCs to search the Library catalogue (Pendeta Discovery)

 
 

Guided tour can be arranged by contacting the Client Services Division at (+603) 7956 7800.

 
 

You may use the Library on a daily basis by paying RM20.00 per day.

 
 

You may use the Library on a daily basis by paying RM20.00 per day.

Last Update: 22/04/2022