About us : general information
Established in August 2006, the Wawasan Open University Library was initially set-up as a reference library to serve the needs of the University’s course developers. The function has been expanded to provide library services and formation resources in both print and digital format to WOU academic staff and distance learners.
Its mission is to support the education and service missions of WOU by providing access to high quality services, collections and information resources designed to meet the teaching and learning needs of the University community. In keeping with the mission, the Library seeks to:
- provide the best possible information resources and services to users in a timely, accurate and complete manner,
- use creative approaches and new technologies in the provision of services and resources,
- forge partnerships both within and beyond the University through co-operative efforts, projects etc. to support its goals,
- provide a competent and skilled staff, dedicated to user needs.
In December 2007, the Main Library moved from its temporary base at 51-20
Menara BHL, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Penang to the University new permanent
campus across the road. Currently, the Library occupies two floors within the
tower block of the Albukhary Building. The fifth floor is the main service area
providing circulation services and facilities such as student lockers, open
access computers and reading area for newspapers, reference materials and
current issues of periodicals. The sixth floor is the primary study section. It
houses the Library's general and special collections, more open access computers
and student discussion rooms. The reading area provides free wireless Internet
access for use with personal laptop PCs.
To ensure that distance learners are
provided with library services and resources that are equitable to those
available to on-campus students, WOU Regional Offices in Johor Bahru, Ipoh,
Kuala Lumpur, Kota Bharu and Penang are equipped with library facilities. A core
collection is deposited in these libraries for reference and borrowing. The
collection includes both print and audio-visual materials. The core collection
is intended to enhance course materials provided to distance learners.
Electronic resources are accessible 24/7 to distance learners regardless of
location. Electronic services such as inter-library loan, document delivery
request, reference enquiries etc. are available via the Web. The number of
regional offices libraries is expected to grow in the next few years.