History

 

 

Before the existence of a consolidated  Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) library services, units had their own unit Libraries or reading clubs  set up under the auspices of their respective commanding officers. The reading materials, mostly fiction books in English were donated by British Armed Force personnel who were on  temporary attachment or bought using the Regiment Welfare Fund (TKR).

The consolidated library service was established in 1960 when Brig Gen Abdul Hamid bin Bidin,  Commander of First Infantry Brigade proposed that library services should be established in Federal Armed Forces.

The Chief of Defence Forces at that time, Lt Gen Sir Rodney Moore, agreed with his proposal and ordered its establishment through a directive, ECAFC/P/(61)35. This directive also approved that each Armed Forces Personnel would contribute 20 cents annually towards the cost of the library service.

Initially the library service  was governed by “JAWAT 5”, Personnel Division and the pioneer  Officers  responsible for administering this service included Maj John Kenneth Willie, Lt (RMN) L.A. Shepherdson, Lt Ismail bin Ali and WO1 RAEC (Retired) Abu Hassan bin Omar.

MINDEF Library caters for all armed forces personnel and civilians around the Klang Valley and extends it service to all  camps through 56 branch libraries comprising  formation  and training centre libraries. Purchase of books for these  libraries is coordinated by  the MINDEF Library. The total volume of books in  all  Armed Forces Libraries now stands around 300,000. Other than books, the library also has magazines, newspaper cuttings, video tapes, compact discs (CD) and  thesis papers. The services provided include book loans, referencing, information search, current awareness and photocopying.

In 1962, Block 21 (now) was renovated at a cost of RM 20,000.00 into the Armed Forces Library. Initial library collections were bought through a contribution of  RM 50,000.00 from the Social Welfare Lottery Board. Reading materials and reference were also donated by United States Information Services (USIS), the British Council Library and the Asian Foundation.

In 1968 the library moved to Block 25 which was shared with the Education Directorate. In 1969 Ministry of Rural and National Development  provided  RM 50,000.00 to MINDEF Library through the late Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussien, the Minister of Defence at that time for the construction of its own building. 15 January 1979 marked a historical moment in the history of the Armed Forces library service because on this auspicious day, the Armed Forces Main Library moved from Block 25 to its own building from where it operates now as the MINDEF Library.

The Library automation system started in the early nineties (90’s). At that time, the library used an automation system called SISPUKOM. This system used a PC standalone for automation in the procurement  and cataloguing division. Later in 1994, a more complete automation of the library service was implemented  using the  SISPUKOM system.

SISPUKOM is a system that uses texts and has a limited search ability  for information. Appropriately in line with the digital era and borderless information search, the MINDEF Library adopted a more sophisticated  system called the Integrated Library Management Utility (ILMU).

Basically this  automation system operates on web capabilities based on basic Windows applications. With this system the library is able to service users without any limitations  to time and space. Users can access this service through the internet address http://library.mod.gov.my.

The library appointments are filled by both Armed Forces Personnel and civilians staff, under a sharing scheme with  the National Library. There are five professional librarians, twelve semi-professionals  and nineteen assistant. The first Chief Librarian of MINDEF Library was Maj Salleh bin Ranting from 1977 to 1981 who was succeeded by Lt Col Baharom bin Sukon from 1986 to 1993. Lt Col Leow Foo Chang took over the reigns from 1993 to 1997,  followed by Lt Col Anuar bin Sabtu from 1997 to 1999, then Lt Col Ng Kim Sai from Jan 1999 to Dec 1999 and next Lt Col Janudin Awang from Jan 2000 to Dec 2000. Col Zulkefli bin Hj Abdullah is the current Chief Librarian since Jan 2001.