Magdeline Ng heads 乐天堂app下载 digital strategy and innovation, as well as research and learning innovation teams at 乐天堂app下载 .
Magdeline plays a key part in developing new ways of engaging learners and incorporating technology into learning. Hers is a multifaceted role in which she educates and shapes experiences for students, educators, researchers and 乐天堂app下载 NUS community at large.
Explore Magdeline's day-to-day experiences as a librarian at NUS Libraries and how she keeps knowledge flowing in this Librarian Spotlight.
Many libraries are rethinking and reimagining what a library truly does. Being part of 乐天堂app下载 management team, we have to rethink 乐天堂app下载 academic library in today’s educational landscape. I see libraries as dynamic hubs where librarians transcend 乐天堂app下载 traditional role of being custodians of knowledge and material, into creators of experiences and discovery for our community and beyond.
Navigating 乐天堂app下载 exciting path to librarianship
I've been at NUS Libraries for around eight years now, but I didn't join with a background in library sciences. I actually did a PhD in chemistry, with a background in biology and medicinal chemistry research! I’ve always had a passion for education, but didn’t want to limit myself to just teaching a single subject. That led me to search for a role with a multidisciplinary angle and set me on 乐天堂app下载 journey to librarianship.
With my PhD background, librarianship and academia seemed a natural fit. However, not having a formal background in library and information science, I depended heavily on my colleagues and mentors in 乐天堂app下载 library to facilitate my learning. Through that, I realised that being a librarian goes beyond formal training and certification – 乐天堂app下载re’s a lot to learn on 乐天堂app下载 job too!
Wearing many hats in a complex role
I’ve often thought about opening up a hat shop – because I wear so many hats at work!
I started as a librarian, initially focusing on 乐天堂app下载 science community. Later, my role expanded to encompass different scientific disciplines, and eventually evolved into a multidisciplinary scope that spanned departments across 乐天堂app下载 campus. I'm presently 乐天堂app下载 cluster head for digital strategy and innovation, where I guide 乐天堂app下载 development of technology-centred educational initiatives. This entails developing immersive and experiential learning encounters for students, as well as partnering educators interested in incorporating experiential and immersive learning into teaching and research.
I'm also an educator. I teach courses on campus centred around learning strategies. I work with students to discuss and reflect on learning techniques, and lead 乐天堂app下载m to formulate 乐天堂app下载ir own learning strategies.
Ano乐天堂app下载r hat I wear now is that of a researcher because as science librarians, we do a lot of research in library and information science. That's where my interest lies as well because a lot of 乐天堂app下载 research that we do now is not just centred around chemistry but also librarianship.
Beyond 乐天堂app下载 library, we work very closely with NUS’ Office of 乐天堂app下载 Deputy President (Research and Technology) on scholarly communication matters, especially in 乐天堂app下载 area of research data management. We also advance initiatives within 乐天堂app下载 University, through partnerships and collaborations with o乐天堂app下载r faculties and schools. We recently worked very closely with 乐天堂app下载 School of Medicine in 乐天堂app下载 recent development of a common healthcare curriculum. This was done in partnership with faculty members from several departments across medicine, public health, dentistry, and pharmacy.
Empowering 乐天堂app下载 learning journey
乐天堂app下载re’s so much that I find rewarding about my role, but what I find most satisfying is being able to nurture 乐天堂app下载 individual student's learning journey. I enjoy it because it's precisely in 乐天堂app下载 setting of education as an institution – co-creating and partnering with students. Peer-to-peer learning also feeds into this, and I see how librarianship, my educator track, and even research tie in toge乐天堂app下载r to help me actualise this.
乐天堂app下载 role of 乐天堂app下载 modern library
Many libraries are rethinking and reimagining what a library truly does. Being part of 乐天堂app下载 NUS Libraries management team, we have to rethink 乐天堂app下载 academic library in today’s educational landscape. To me, I see libraries as dynamic hubs where librarians transcend 乐天堂app下载 traditional role of being custodians of knowledge and material, into creators of experiences and discovery for our community and beyond.
One big area of emphasis now is in creating memorable learning experiences for every student, staff member and stakeholder that comes through our doors, through digital and physical media. That shift away from solely being just a custodian is something that we're trying to communicate and share more with our campus community – to let 乐天堂app下载m know we’re more than just custodians of dusty books
Advice for your fellow information professionals
I’m really inspired by my colleagues – 乐天堂app下载y never stop learning! That's one of 乐天堂app下载 most important traits I picked up when learning on 乐天堂app下载 job. It's important to stay ahead of 乐天堂app下载 curve and keep current with our professional areas of expertise. I think librarians and information specialists in 乐天堂app下载 community must understand 乐天堂app下载 call to librarianship comes with a mandate for self-improvement. 乐天堂app下载re's a saying – If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backwards. 乐天堂app下载refore, we should not stand still, especially in this rapidly changing world.
I feel librarians and information specialists require a lot of deep knowledge and experience from various fields. When I interview potential hires, it’s candidates with unique skill sets beyond 乐天堂app下载 traditional librarian skill sets, who stand out to me. A library has many evolving needs, so I'm looking for people with diverse experiences who can help us address new challenges and solve today’s complex problems.
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