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Five New Things About ACRCThe researcher, the family manAsian Communication Resource Centre (ACRC) was set up in 2003as a result of the merger between the SCI Resource Centre andthe Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC)Documentation Unit. In 2005, it became part of the NTU Librarynetwork, which also includes Lee Wee Nam Library, Library 2,Media Resource Library, Humanities and Social Sciences Libraryand Art, Design & Media Library.Since the ACRC grew from a resource centre into a fully-fledgedlibrary this year, it has been seeing a lot of interesting changes.Here are five developments you may not yet know about thisinteresting facility.1. Library education in new curriculumStudents’ studies are benefiting from the changes. Librarianshave been increasingly involved in conducting library workshops,instructional programmes and talks for students of variouscourses. Ms Wendy Ong, Head of ACRC said, “Through this, wehope students will be equipped with effective literature searchingskills that they can use when researching for their coursework.”2. Activities by ACRCIn line with the library’s orientation programmes for freshmen,the ACRC also conducted talks to brief freshmen on the librarynetwork and its rich resources. Most recently, the ACRC playedhost to an exhibition of works produced by a team of CS studentsfrom the GO-FAR expedition in Laos this year. The GO-FARexhibition was also showcased at the Lee Wee Nam Library.3. New automated processesThe synergy with other libraries also allows for resource sharing, asthe ACRC can now obtain materials housed in the other libraries.The move also provides a great boost of logistical support, shiftingthe manual processing of loans – where students’ matriculationcards were kept by the centre for the duration of their loan – to anautomated system.4. New ACRC administration servicesACRC has also been provided with specialised and professionalsupport through subject librarians brought in to liaise with theacademic staff on the acquisition of required coursework materialsand new resources.From left to right: Ms Wendy Ong Ms Phoebe Lim Ms ChenPeishan.5. New staffMs Wendy OngSenior Assistant Director and Head of ACRCSubject librarian for Library & Information ScienceMs Ong has been in this profession for more than 10 years,starting as a trainee librarian. She likes travelling and her selfdriveholidays were most memorable.Ms Phoebe LimSenior Librarian (Library Promotion)Subject librarian Advertising, Public Relations, Broadcast and FilmThe determination to work in the library field was apparent inMs Lim’s university days, when she saw her flair for it. Ms Lim iscurrently attracted to the social networking website FaceBook, asit helps her reconnect with old friends.Ms Chen PeishanLibrarian (Information Services)Subject librarian for Communication Research and JournalismHaving pursued an MA degree in Information Services Managementat London Metropolitan University, Ms Chen gathered librarywork experiences in a non-government organisation and law firmbefore joining ACRC.WritersIdayu SupartoWee Li LinPhoto by Tan JinliPhoto by Tan Jinli Photo courtesy of Dr Wei RanHaving taught at bothWestern and Asianuniversities, Dr Wei Ran, anAssociate Professor from theUniversity of South Carolina,decided to visit Singapore fora year as he feels it is “morefamily-friendly compared toother places”.Another reason why hechose to come SingaporeDr Wei Ranis the multi-lingual culturehere, which he hopes willhelp his children appreciate speaking Mandarin more. His decisionwas also influenced by having friends and former colleagues inWKWSCI, including Associate Professor Dr Ang Peng Hwa and (then)SCI’s former Dean, Professor Dr Eddie Kuo. Dr Wei said, “I don’t feelthat I have come to a place where I know nobody. I know quite a lot ofthe staff here, having met some others in conferences too.”Dr Wei’s research interest lies in advertising research andthe social impacts of mass communication with emphasis onnew media technology. The China-born professor is currentlyteaching undergraduate and postgraduate classes in the Publicand Promotional Communication Division.He started out in the media industry as a news reporterand producer for China Central Television in the mid 1980s,before moving on to graduate school and changing his focus toadvertising. When asked about the switch, Dr Wei told connexscionsthat he found asking questions about the mass media processmore fascinating that news reporting.Being a book-lover, Dr Wei often reads books on advertising– he is currently reading The Online Advertising Playbook. When heis looking for something more entertaining, the professor picksup Chinese gong fu novels and books on Chinese history.During his leisure time, Dr Wei enjoys spending quality timewith his children, helping them with homework and playing withthem. Apart from the usual movies and toys, he is trying to getthem interested in playing tennis.Prof Zhou Shu Hua is Mr VersatileThings have been working outquite well for him. Visitingprofessor Dr Zhou Shu Hua hasbeen blessed with opportunitiesthat he has grasped firmly withboth hands. It is even difficultnot to think that he had it allplanned out beforehand. “It’sreally that opportunities havecome along and I have beenready for them,” he said.Dr Zhou Shu Hua.When asked about the reasonshe came to Singapore, he told connexscions that he has long hadcontacts with Founding Dean, Professor Eddie Kuo, who interviewedhim in 1998 in Chicago. His acquaintances with Associate ProfessorsDr Ang Peng Hwa, Dr Hao Xiaoming and Dr Benjamin Detenber alsoprovided him the chance to visit Singapore.Currently, Dr Zhou, together with another visiting professor,Dr Wei Ran, is researching how stories on “bird flu” affect people’sWriterShallyn Leowperception of the epidemic itself. He is also involved in a globalstudy which looks at how television newscasts employ sensationalapproaches to present news stories. Furthermore, he is set towrite a book on research methods and television news analysis.He added, “I have too much time, too little to do.”Being a language-lover, Dr Zhou not only articulates well inEnglish and Mandarin, but can also speak a little French, Spanishand German.Dr Zhou also loves to play soccer. “I used to have an encyclopediaknowledge of soccer and was a pretty good player but I haven’tplayed for 15 years,” he said. He also enjoys playing tennis,badminton and American football. However, he noted thatacademic life does not allow him much time for leisure. “Going intoacademia is no breeze. You sometimes have to make sacrifices,” hecontinued. Well, work hard, play hard, isn’t it?WriterThong Wai Mun24 connexscions 25connexscions