National University of Singapore: Building capacity with early-career professionals

NUS (National University of Singapore) Libraries plays a pivotal role in partnering the NUS community to advance scholarship and research. It comprises seven libraries, with the Central Library being the flagship. It is the largest academic and research library in Singapore with a rich collection of more than 3 million volumes covering multidisciplinary subjects. Through its Library Innovation and Leadership Academy (LILA), NUS Libraries offers comprehensive programs aimed at nurturing the skills and knowledge of various learners, including librarians, students and early career librarians from across Asia and beyond.

What We Do

Our partnership addresses critical gaps in skills and capacity among early-career librarians from lower-income countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. These professionals often lack opportunities to develop essential skills needed to support research and education effectively, and to become the library leaders of tomorrow. We focus on:

Equipping underrepresented early career librarians with essential skills.

Providing platforms for NUS Librarians to share their expertise.

Fostering a robust library community exchange in the ASEAN region.

The goal is to build capacity for librarians in under-resourced areas, narrow the gap in professional development opportunities, and enable librarians to better support their universities’ research and education missions.

How We Deliver

Our approach ensures an immersive learning experience for all participants. The inaugural program will feature a 5-day course starting from 9th to 13th December 2024, with subsequent runs in May 2025. Courses include hands-on and practical sessions, allowing participants to apply new skills immediately, and elective deep dives for more focused learning. The Elsevier Foundation, Elsevier and NUS libraries will collaborate closely, sharing expertise, developing topics and providing skilled speakers.