Through the Web, users also have access to the following electronic databases:

The Library Home Page also enhances the scope of the physical library into the digital domain.  Users have 24x7 access to a range of Internet resources such as electronic newspapers, electronic databases, e-books, e-journals, subject gateways and reference resources relevant to NP’s course curriculum.

Resources
The Library's resources cover the following major collections:
Computer Resource Collection - includes application software, such as database management software, programming languages, project management software, spreadsheets, word processing software and subject-specific courseware.

Early Childhood Education Collection - which supports curriculum needs of the Early Childhood Education programme.

International Business Collection - covers trade, business and investment resources in countries worldwide.

Lending Collection - covers all subjects relevant to the courses of study offered by the Polytechnic.

Lifestyle Library Collection - This incorporates the following collections:

Audiovisual Collection - comprises Feature Films and videos on a wide range of general interest topics.

Design Collection - comprises the best works and state-of-the-art technologies from the print, broadcast, digital media and industrial design worlds. The Collection covers advertising media, television broadcasting, photography, computer animation and product design. Included in this Collection are also demo reels from the film and media industries and outstanding student projects from the Schools.

Fiction Collection - includes works by local and foreign renowned authors.

Language Collection - comprises both print and non-print resources in French, German, Japanese and Chinese.

Lifestyle Book Collection - comprises 20 clusters which includes Creativity & Innovation, Computers & Internet, Cartoons & Comics, Home & Family, Hobbies, Humour, Sports, Entertainment, Lifeskills, Food & Beverages, Health & Medical, Biography, Travel & Culture, True Stories etc.

Lifestyle Magazines Collection - covers a range of general interest magazines.

Music CDs Collection - covers a range of music genres that caters to diverse interests.

Media Resource Collection - the first and one of the largest among local academic libraries. It also incorporates the Multimedia Development and Design Collection (MDDC). This brings together electronic resources useful for multimedia development work. This includes stock photography libraries, commercial clipart libraries, soundclips, videoclips, photoclips, animated graphics libraries, application and utilities software.

National Education Collection - supports NP's curriculum module.

Periodicals Collection - contains current information on business, results of research and technological developments. 

Recommended Books Collection - includes heavily used textbooks, materials assigned by lecturers as required reading, syllabuses and examination papers of the Polytechnic and selected overseas professional institutions. The two-hour loan period for this collection ensures that all students have equal access to these materials.

Reference Collection - includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, yearbooks, government publications, standards, trade literature, statistical publications and annual reports. These materials provide quick answers to specific questions, brief overviews or detailed treatise of topics and access to other sources of information.

Semiconductor Databooks Collection - includes selector guides, databooks and product information.

Specialised Collection - covers company reports, investment literature, standards and trade literature to assist students in assignments and project work.

READERS' SERVICES
Professional staff provide a full range of information services, such as literature searches, instruction on the use of databases, reference works and selective dissemination of information. Database searching is also provided.

"Ask a Librarian" service provides the opportunity for students and staff to interact virtually with Reference librarians over the Intranet through online chat, voice and co-browsing.  A Knowledge Base is available for users to check out the FAQs before posing their queries.

USER EDUCATION
User education programmes include library orientation sessions for new students and research skills sessions for different levels of students across disciplines. These are conducted to develop information gathering skills in students, equipping them with an independent approach to the resources available.

LOAN SERVICES
Books may be borrowed for a period of two weeks. Students may borrow a maximum of six books each from the Academic Collection and Lifestyle Library Collection respectively. Students may also check on their full list of loan privileges covering all material type through the Library Home Page.

Academic Library Resources

* Fines exclude Sundays and public holidays. All other materials are for use in the Library only.
2 renewals are permitted on any titles.

Bookmarks by subject disciplines.

Library InfoCard with essential library information.

Other information products are accessible from the Library Home Page.  These include the following :

Library Guide covers facilities, resources, services and regulations.

eLearn covers library tutorial programs such as Research Skills Online, Use of OPAC and locating library resources.  

HOURS OF OPENING

LIBRARY MEMBERSHIP
Library membership is automatically extended to all students.

STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS
Student Identification Cards are not transferable.
They must be produced upon request by library staff.
Loss of an Identification Card must be reported immediately to library staff. Members will be held accountable for all loans issued out in their names, until a report for lost Student Identification Card is lodged with the Library.

Students must inform the Library immediately of any change of personal particulars.

LOAN RULES
Students must use their Student Identification Cards
when borrowing materials.

Students must ensure that all library items in their possession have been properly charged out before leaving the Exit Checkpoint of the Library. Any item not charged out may be considered as theft and be treated as a library disciplinary offence. A fine of $40 may be imposed on any student found in possession of undischarged library materials at the Exit Checkpoint.

For loans made through the self-service terminals, students must ensure that a receipt is obtained for the item(s) borrowed. This receipt is to be kept with the item(s).

Students are required to return or renew their loans when due. The date due is indicated on the date due receipt.

Software borrowed from the Library must be uninstalled from the student's computer upon completion of use.

Audiovisual programmes borrowed from the Library are not to be reproduced.

Students will be held responsible for any damage to library materials taken out in their name.

Replacement cost for damaged or lost library materials shall be the current cost, plus a processing fee of $10 per item. Fines are charged for the materials, if overdue, calculated from the date due to the date when the items are reported lost, excluding Sundays and Public Holidays.

The Library will not accept returns of items subsequently found, unless required. If accepted, only the replacement cost will be refunded. Users may have to pay a fine for the item returned.

Students may use the ePay kiosks to pay all library and other student related financial transactions via NETS ATM card or Cashcard.

LIBRARY RULES AND ETIQUETTE
As the Library is intended as a conducive place for reading, study and research, students are expected to observe all rules and etiquette within the Library:
Do not create disturbance or make excessive noise. For first offenders, a warning notice will be issued. Repeat offenders will have to pay a fine of $5.

Seats may not be reserved in the Library. Unattended books and possessions may be removed by library staff.

Since the Library is not responsible for any loss of personal belongings or properties on its premises, do not leave personal belongings unattended.

Food and drinks are only allowed at the Internet Cafe of the Library.

The Library does not provide a telephone service for library users and does not accept any incoming calls on their behalf. Handphones and other communication devices should be switched to silent mode.

All library materials must be kept clean. Marking, defacing or mutilating of library materials is an offence.

Viewing of personal videos on the Library's audiovisual equipment is not allowed.

PCs in the Library are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Disciplinary action may be taken against users found:
1. tampering with setup programs, or
2. viewing objectionable materials on the PCs.

Furniture in the Library should only be used for what they are intended for and should not be moved to other locations.

Rules governing "Student Conduct" on campus and attire in this Student Guide also applies in the Library.

BREACH OF LIBRARY RULES
Warning notices may be issued, library privileges may be suspended, fines may be imposed for breach of library rules. Disciplinary action including expulsion from the Polytechnic may be taken against any student found committing acts such as theft and mutilation of library materials.

THE COPYRIGHT ACT
The Copyright (Amendment) Act 2004 has been updated to protect the rights of authors, especially with new technologies available that can take advantage of the Internet. We highlight below the various aspects of the Act which require your compliance:

WHAT IS COPYRIGHT?
It is a protection given by law to the authors of original works.
Almost all works in the Library are protected by copyright.

HOW MUCH CAN I LEGALLY COPY?
The “fair dealing” provisions allow you to copy, on
self-service machines:

- either 10% (from a book without chapters) or
- 1 chapter of a book, or
- One article of a periodical/magazine.

For electronic works, you may copy :

- 10% of the total number of bytes in that edition or,
- 10% of the total number of words in that edition or,
- 10% of the contents of that edition.

HOW CAN I COPY MORE?
The Act allows you to make more than a reasonable
portion on condition that the book is not available commercially at the time of need. The procedure is as follows:

Fill up a Photocopy Request Form obtainable from the Circulation counter.
Sign a declaration stating that you are using the copy for study or research and that you have not previously been supplied with a copy of the same material.
Obtain authorisation from library staff at the Circulation Counter.
After copying, bring the copies to the Circulation Counter for library staff to apply a copyright notation stamp.

CAN I COPY COMPUTER SOFTWARE?

You CANNOT copy computer software borrowed from the Library or those stored in computers or networks anywhere in the Polytechnic.
You should NOT use illegal copies of software on any computers in the Polytechnic.