Uni launches new library system

By JOYCE INGIPA
Students attending the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) will now have access to updated books and materials, former acting vice-chancellor Prof Kenneth Sumbuk says.
At the launch of the Michael Somare Library’s Liberty Automated Library Management System on Wednesday, Sumbuk said the new system would enable students and academic staff to have access to updated books and resources.
He said all books in the library were out of date.
Sumbuk said there was a restructure at UPNG in 2000 to upgrade its academic aspects.
All the faculties were restructured into schools and all the departments into strands.
Unfortunately, support services like library, information and communication technology (ICT) and others were yet to be upgraded.
Sumbuk said the upgrade in the library was long overdue.
He thanked SoftLink International for installation of software and training of library staff.
Sumbuk said the library was now able to provide services at an acceptable standard.
“I hope this system will help improve our students’ performance and our academic delivery to them,” he said.
Sumbuk said the library was not to be used only by students and academics, but other stakeholders as well.
Librarian Leah Kalamoroh said outdated books were now a thing of the past.
“UPNG decided on adapting the use of his system because it is user-friendly and can accommodate and integrate various online databases,” she said.
Kalamoroh said some other organisations already using the Liberty system in PNG were Pacific Adventist University, National Research Institute, University of Goroka, Bank of PNG Library, National Court Library, Divine Word University and UPNG medical school.