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This paper examines the affordances that a collaborative digital library (CDL) can bring to bear on supporting information literacy practices in the digital information environment. It suggests that the digital library can contribute to student empowerment in information literacy practices while searching, using and collaboratively building the digital library resources. To illustrate this, the authors have been experimenting with the implementation of an integrated information literacy model based on Eisenberg and Berkowitz' Big 6 Model and describes the CDL features in association with the information literacy dimensions in this model. The CDL focuses on the project-based learning approach to conduct students' project, which supports specific information behaviors that underpin research and learning such as information seeking, browsing, encountering, foraging, sharing, gathering, filtering, and using. Findings regarding teachers' reception of the digital library are encouraging as they feel the relevance of the digital library to the current requirement of the students' project and its potential to entrench information and resource study skills through project-based learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper described 1. the investigation undertaken to trace the strategies used by children in selecting books to borrow, use or browse in two children's public libraries, and 2. map the information seeking patterns adopted by the selected children. The sample comprised 43 children who used the Bayan Budiman Children's Library, Petaling Jaya and the Kuala Lumpur Children's Library. The children were randomly chosen, aged between 7 and 12 and comprised those who entered the library with the observed behaviour of selecting books to browse, use or borrow. Two stages were used to collect data; 1. observing the children's behavior as they enter the library to the point when they pick up a book to browse, read or borrow for fifteen to twenty minutes and 2. interviewing those selected with a semi-structure questionnaire. Belkin, et al's (1993) information search strategy (ISS) dimensions were used to transcribe children's browsing and selecting behavior. Based on the observations and interviews respondent's behaviour was mapped to illustrate the children's choosing process. The findings indicated that 1. browsing was the most popular method used when choosing a book combined with various strategies such as looking for a book by an author or series, finding a book by subjects, visually or physically scanning and recognizing the physical composition of the book; 2. children based their selection on the storyline, illustrations, cover designs and typography of the books; and 3. the searching behaviour is likely to be non-linear in nature. The majority of the children faced no problems in choosing or locating a book as most are regular visitors. A few indicated being overwhelmed by the library's large collection or, face initial confusion before they started to browse and interact with resources. Children used visual cues rather from textual information when searching for books, inferring that children libraries need to be supported with adequate and visually stimulating environment to make book searching fun and fruitful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper reports on a study that ascertains the factors facilitating students to utilize digital libraries for educational purposes. The study investigates students ICT readiness, usage of online resources and information seeking behaviour of secondary school students with the specific goal of applying the results to the design of a collaborative digital library for school projects. The digital library has been conceived to support resource needs of these students as well provide the space for them to publish their school projects, which are currently submitted handwritten. The study uses the case study approach and an urban secondary school in Malaysia is chosen as the case school. Findings from a survey and focus group interviews indicate that the students are ready to collaboratively build the digital library resources as evidenced by students digital library readiness score of 31.4/40. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Chinese born in the Straits Settlements of Peninsula Malaya (Penang, Singapore, Malacca) are called Babas to distinguish them from those born in China. The Babas are rooted from three different races, Chinese, Malay and English and as such their lifestyles show a mixed blend of the Chinese, Malay and European cultures. Because of this cultural background, the Babas exhibited a unique cultural mix in the clothes they wear, their culinary skills, architectural styles, language and literature. The paper describes the characteristics of 68 Baba translated works published between 1889 and 1950; focusing on the publication trends between the period under study, the persons involved in the creative output, the publishers and printers involved, the contents of the translated works, the physical make-up of the works and the libraries where these works are held. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]