We have enhanced our electronic resources collection by adding new titles, including a few water policy related reports. Some resources, such as American Affairs: An American Review and Frontiers in Bioscience are now available in both print and electronic versions. Do note that some of the new resources such as Global Water Intelligence require you to register the first time you access the site.

Here is the list of new resources. Let us know what you think!

1. Frontiers in Bioscience

2. Journal of Earth Science (previously Journal of China University of Geosciences)

3. Environment

4. Nephron: Clinical Practice

5. The Oncologist

6. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

7. International Journal of Project Organisation & Management

8. Global Water Intelligence

9. Water Desalination Report

10. Water Market India

11. Water Market China 2009

12. Water & Wastewater Utilities of the World

13. ADA Professional Product Review

14. Asian Affairs: An American Review

15. Mathematics Teacher

16. AJNR, American Journal of Neuroradiology

第二次世界大战前编撰出版的日文东南亚资料，是研究这个区域的风土民情，政治文化等方面不可或缺的资料。由于战乱的缘故，这些资料多已散失。经过多年来的妥善保护，中文图书馆存有此类珍贵书籍约95种。为了促进资源共享，本馆乃筛选其中较为稀见的15种，将它们数码化后上传到图书馆网站，让这些资料在互联网上广为流传。

目前可供阅览的数码化资料有《火焔樹》（Kaenju)、 《星港攻略記》（Shingapōru kōryakuki）、《日本人の新発展地南洋》(Nihonjin no shin hattenchi Nan’yō)、《食用野生動植物》(Shokuyō yasei dōshokubutsu)、 《シンガポール概要》(Shingapōru gaiyō)、 《南洋雑記》（Nanyō zakki）、《赤道を行く》（Sekidō o yuku）等七种。

欲阅览上述的数码化资料，可通过中文图书馆战前日文东南亚资料数码化项目网页，点选书名，即可阅览全文。其网址是http://www.lib.nus.edu.sg/jlb/digital/jindexE.html。

除《星港攻略記》和《食用野生動植物》外， 其他资料都提供了其他文种资料中较少涉及的战前东南亚日本人社群的概况，是这个研究领域不可多得的资料。

值得一提的是，《火焔樹》（1944）、《食用野生動植物》（1944）、 《シンガポール概要》（1923）、 《南洋雑記》（1926）及 《赤道を行く》（1939）等都是在新加坡出版的珍稀资料。

这数码化项目预计将陆续将其余八种资料上载到网页上，希望能为战前的东南亚研究贡献一点绵力。

EndNote X3, the latest version of the reference management software, has been available to NUS staff and students via the Software Catalogue since September 2009. For a guide to installing and using EndNote, check out  http://www.lib.nus.edu.sg/lion/e/endnoteguide.html.

Have you been unable to locate certain output or journal citation styles in EndNote?

To facilitate faster start-up, the typical installation for EndNote X3 was designed to install only the 100 most popular output styles, connection files and filters. If you installed EndNote X3 between September to December last year, you will be unable to find many output styles and library catalogue connections.

To resolve this issue, the NUS Libraries EndNote Team and Computer Centre worked with Thomson-Reuters, the software producer. From this month, typical installation (for Windows only) now installs all connections/output styles/filters (including connection to LINC) by default. If you are unable to locate output styles in your EndNote X3 installed before January 2010, do re-install via the Computer Centre Software Catalogue. Alternatively, Windows and Mac users can download additional journal citation styles as well as suggest new styles to be created in future EndNote updates by visiting http://www.endnote.com/support/enstyles.asp.

For enquiries on installation via Software Catalogue, including the transfer of licenses from one computer to another, please contact IT Care.

Training Sessions for EndNote

Do look out for the upcoming series of workshops conducted by NUS librarians in February. Workshop schedules will be announced via the NUS Libraries’ portal news. A trainer from Thomson-Reuters will also be conducting on-site training in March. This is organized by the Centre for Development of Teaching and Learning. Details will be announced in February.

There are two catalogues that co-exist on the library website: LINC+ and LINC.

The default catalogue is LINC+, which looks similar to basic search engines because it has a single search box. It searches the author, title, keyword, subject and notes fields all at the same time. You can refine your results by date, location, format, language and collection. The tags on the right show subject headings that are commonly assigned to books listed in the result. LINC+ is a good tool for browsing the collection.

The classic catalogue, LINC, may look a little more traditional, but don’t dismiss it! It’s excellent for searching if you have something more precise in mind. It allows you to specify which field you want to search, so the results are likely to be more relevant to your needs. For an even more precise search, click on the advanced search tab.

Read the latest medical news by some of the medical world’s leading practioners. The blogs are sorted by category so you can zoom in on topics that interest you right away. Alternatively you can also check out the group blogs which focus on specific topics.

The podcasts allow you to keep track of all things medical wherever you may be. A wide range of issues are covered and sorted by category. There is also an archive of previous podcasts that goes back to 2006.

BMJ’s blogs and podcasts give you bite-sized medical news and opinions wherever you are, whenever you like.

The only reason you call December a holiday is because of Christmas and then, the fast approaching New Year. Well, all right,  the students have gone off on their holidays. That certainly gives the reason to declare it a holiday. But a holiday, really, a real one? Bah! humbug, I say!

For the past weeks, TNL has been looking forward to leisurely morning bus rides to work with the least number of vomit-inducing stops, a nice cruise along Clementi Road, a seat all to herself but more importantly, buses that come at regular intervals (not 3 at one go). But does she get any of one of these, nooooo…..

Then, there’s the weather. Yes, it is nice and cool but it doesn’t seem to be quite like the usual December weather. You have your freaky deluges and then, you have your sunny shunshine. And at times, TNL can well declare that it is jolly June hot.

And the work. Ok, so it is not back-to-back, cheek-by-jowl, “Kill me now” kind of work. It’s the kind of work you need to do for the next year but can’t get done because a bunch of people ain’t around because why? Beeeecause they are on holiday!

You call this a holiday? Look over your shoulder, aha, you can just about glimpse 2010 sticking its tongue at you. Holiday, shmoliday. Bring it on, 2010!

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress
by Dai Sijie
PQ2664 D132B 2001 Central Library

The Cultural Revolution has always simply been to me a significant and grandiose part of China’s history. The details elude me and the urge to find out more is nonexistent. I picked up a copy of Dai Sijie’s Balzac and the little Chinese seamstress because of its intriguing title and was pleasantly surprised at what an engaging read it was.

Dai introduces the reader to a Cultural Revolution that is seen from the eyes of the very people afflicted and through them, challenges us to care about people in another time and place and to appreciate the many freedoms that we enjoy.

The story revolves around the narrator and his friend, Luo, and their “re-education’ in the mountains at the height of the Cultural Revolution. Their parents, being doctors and dentists respectively, have been deemed “enemies of the people” and the boys’ hopes of ever leaving the mountain seem slim at best.

In this dreary setting where the reader fully expects to read about depressed souls and defeated minds, Dai uplifts us by detailing the little victories the boys have everyday. They outwit the villagers through the use of “technology” (i.e., an alarm clock!), they enthrall them with stories, they bribe the headman by playing dentist; you end up laughing at their antics and applauding their acts of subversion. Their grim settings are further brightened by a beautiful neighboring seamstress as well as the discovery of a suitcase of forbidden European literature.

Dai’s conclusion is however ambivalent. He clearly disapproves of and ridicules the senseless censorship of scientific and “Westernized” knowledge but he also warns of the price to be paid should the reverse be true. With knowledge comes the freedom to choose and he cautions that we will have to live with these choices, whether good or bad.

A thought-provoking and quick read; go for it!

While I was at the Information Desk one day, a law professor requested the library to purchase films that she wanted to use for a module. So we started discussing the benefits of films as a teaching aid.

Films are seldom used in class, and the novelty factor can make students more excited about the topics being discussed. On a superficial level, films can be used by law professors to illustrate the legal process. On a deeper level, they can also provoke critical thinking and analysis. For example watching Twelve Angry Men can stimulate a debate about the role and selection of the jury. It can also generate a critical analysis of the pros and cons of the jury system. Films that depict lawyers can be used for analysing the roles of lawyers in society. In addition, many films can be used to discuss the issue of legal ethics.

Some films which can be used in law classes are: Minority Report (2002), Erin Brockovich (2000), The Rainmaker (1997), My Cousin Vinny (1992), Class Action (1991) and Jagged Edge (1986).

国大中文系同学会联同中文图书馆在2009年10月30日举办了一场写论文讲座，获得了60名同学的踊跃参与。这场名为“救命啊！老师，我要“王”牌论文”的讲座由中文系王昌伟老师主讲。

王老师说， 学生们时常在选题上遇到寻找资料的难处，有两个可能性：一，图书馆没有这方面的材料；二，学生们不会找资料，而学生们往往都属于后者。他表示，学生应该根据自己的兴趣鉴定要研究的课题，再依照问题去寻找资料。

对于如何鉴定学术课题，王老师认为，学生们应该要广泛地阅读各种资料，才能确认某种课题值不值得学生们去寻找学术性的答案。 “一个课题会引入你进入死胡同，因为你考证不来，或有问题却没有答案。”这是王老师在讲座上向学生抛出的救生圈之一。

他说，如果研究的课题能够在前人的基础上找到所要的答案，对目前的课题提出有进一步的的看法，那就是很好的学术课题，也是最高境界。

会上，学生们踊跃参与发问环节。王老师一一地为学生们解答后，提醒学生不要忘记读者，因为读者未必经历过同作者同样的思考过程。因此，他叮咛学生们要时刻在文章上加上指标，让读者能够跟上他们的思路。

会后，中文系同学会主席罗超伟赠送纪念品予王昌伟老师与中文图书馆馆长沈俊平博士，以表达谢意。学生也通过发问，各自的疑惑都解开了，纷纷带着满意的心情结束了这场有意义的讲座。

陈德明
中文系同学会秘书

For revision purposes, try BMJ’s (British Medical Journal) Endgames at http://www.onexamination.com/endgames. BMJ’s Endgames is a pop quiz consisting of five short MCQ questions on a wide range of topics. It’s a fast and easy way to see how much you have learned.

On a lighter note, try BMJ’s monthly online quiz at http://my.onexamination.com/Community/Quiz.aspx and test your general medical knowledge.

Answer a short question and stand a chance of winning great prizes! 

However, in order to have your entry included in the monthly quiz you have to log in to your account. If you do not have an account you will be prompted to create one. Don’t worry it’s free!