UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
Library Resources Recommendation
Staff members and students are welcomed to make recommendation for the resources that are unavailable in the Library. It can be for general interest, research, wellbeing or curriculum needs such as reference list titles in course syllabus.

The Library will normally purchase one copy of each resource to make full use of the fund and to promote a wide variety of reading materials, as well as to reflect the teaching, learning and research requirements of the University.

The Library reserves the right to make final decision or recommendation of the purchases, based on current collection development policies and guidelines. The purchases are subject to various factors which include, but not limited to support or approval from the respective authority, availability of similar holding in the library, market availability, cost of resources, digital rights (refers to e-books), sufficiency of fund, etc.

Library resources are provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all patrons the Library serves. Hence, there should be no purchase of a specific resource for the use of an individual only, or purchase of excessive quantity of the same resources for the reference of a particular group of people only.

A recommendation does not guarantee the purchase of the resources. However, the Library will assess each recommendation, for the benefit of UTAR Community.

Should you have further inquiries, please feel free to contact the Library Acquisition Sub-unit at acq.lib@utar.edu.my


Reference List Titles in Course Syllabus - Main and Additional References

Library is to grant access to main and additional references to students, such as designated textbooks in print or electronic format, as listed in the course syllabus. Items in high demand can be borrowed for a short period of 2 hours or overnight. This collection is referred as Red Spot Collection.

It is important to understand that the Library does not provide students with the main and additional references for their personal or individual use. There will not be excessive copies of books in the library due to limited space, high institutional price charged by the publishers compared to individual purchases, regular release of newer or updated editions in every 3 to 5 years, etc.

Hence, students are encouraged to purchase their own copies of designated textbooks, either in print or electronic version, as needed. Please refer to Purchase of Book for Personal Use for more details.


Reminder
Before making a recommendation, please refer to Library Online Catalogue and check if the Library already holds the resources you wish to submit to the Library for purchase. Cancellation of request may result from duplication resources.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Staff Members

  1. Monographs
    2. Before submitting a request, kindly refer to List of Unable to Acquire Books for details of titles that are unavailable in terms of stock availability and market availability. Avoid requesting such titles as they are no longer obtainable.

    This request does not apply to instructor’s resources e.g. inspection copies, examination copies, instructor’s manual, teaching notes, etc. where terms and conditions apply between publishers (provider of service) and instructors (user of service). Academic staff members are advised to reach out to the relevant publishers through their official website, for further information.

    A request can be made via online or physical form, as follows:
    1. Online
      1. Login to UTAR Web2.
      2. Go to Staff Portal tab and select Library Material Request.
      3. Select Add Library Material Request.
      4. Fill in the required fields and click Add Item button.
      5. Repeat step no. 4 until all requested items are added.
      6. Click on Confirm Submit button.
      7. Request will be directed to Dean (faculty) or Director/HOD (non-faculty) for approval before it is forwarded to the Library (Acquisition Sub-unit).
    2. Physical Form
      1. Login to UTAR Web2.
      2. Select UTAR Forms and followed by LIB Forms.
      3. Click on Material Request Form to download the form, for completion.
      4. Please ensure the form is approved by Dean (faculty) or Director/HOD (non-faculty) before it is submitted to the Library.
  2. Materials under Research Funds/Grants
    3. A Principal Researcher shall make this request which has to be recommended by the Faculty Dean and approved by the IPSR Director. Materials purchased under research funds/grants are processed as part of the Library’s holdings.

    Steps to make a request are as follows:
    1. Login to UTAR Web2.
    2. Select UTAR Forms and followed by LIB Forms.
    3. Click on Material Request (Research Fund) Form to download the form, for completion.
    4. Please ensure the request is supported by the Faculty Dean and approved by IPSR Director before it is submitted to the Library.
  3. Serials
    4. A request for Serials (journals/magazines) can only be made by UTAR staff members. Approval from the Faculty or Library Committee is required in accordance with Library Purchasing Guide.

    A request can be made via online or physical form, as follows:
    1. Online
      1. Login to UTAR Web2.
      2. Go to Staff Portal tab and select Library Material Request.
      3. Select Add Library Serial Request.
      4. Fill in the required fields and click Add Item button.
      5. Repeat step no. 4 until all requested items are added.
      6. Click on Confirm Submit button.
      7. Request will be directed to Dean (faculty) or Director/HOD (non-faculty) for approval before it is forwarded to the Library (Acquisition Sub-unit).
    2. Physical Form
      1. Login to UTAR Web2.
      2. Select UTAR Forms and followed by LIB Forms.
      3. Click on Serial Request Form to download the form, for completion.
      4. Please ensure the form is approved by Dean (faculty) or Director/HOD (non-faculty) before it is submitted to the Library.
  4. Online Databases
    5. Before submitting a request for new subscription of online database, the Faculty is advised to discuss in the faculty board meeting, as well as with the Faculty Dean on the following:
    1. Essentiality in supporting the study, teaching, research, etc.
    2. Availability of other similar subscribed databases in the Library.
    3. Availability of any free or open resources that can be used as alternative resources.
    4. Target users of the online database e.g. name of programmes, number of students and staff, etc.
    5. Strategies on promoting the database to Faculty community, in order to ensure the database is fully utilised, as well as to secure its renewal for the following years.
    The subscription procedures for new online database will basically involve the following:
    1. Faculty to put in request for new subscription via email, by providing the details of request, to the Library Director and cc to Faculty Dean and Library Representative.
    2. Library to contact the relevant publisher/agent in obtaining more information about the subscription of new database.
    3. Library to provide the information obtained to the Faculty for reconsideration which will normally include background/content of the product, coverage of access, options of subscription package, etc.
    4. Library to arrange for trial access (if any), if the Faculty wishes to proceed with its request.
    5. Library to announce the trial access to all staff members and students.
    6. Library to request usage report from the publisher and seek for feedback / comment from the Faculty.
    7. Faculty to discuss and obtain approval from the faculty board meeting, if the database is essential and needed to be subscribed. Minutes of the meeting together with justification(s) is to be submitted to the Library.
    8. Library to propose the subscription of new database to the Library Committee for approval, subject to budget availability.
    Faculty is required to plan for a new subscription and inform the Library early, in order to ensure sufficient budget for the subscription. Commencement of a new subscription, whether in the current year or the following year will subject to sufficiency of budget.

Students

Student Book Recommendation
Students can make a recommendation to the Library, for the materials that they wish to refer but found unavailable in the library collection. The purchase of materials is subject to support from the respective Faculty HOD, approval from the Faculty Dean, as well as the discretion of the Library / University.

Recommendation can be made through Student Book Recommendation.