Sarawakiana Division, Sibu

Introduction

Sarawakiana Division (Previously Depository Services Division) staff during annual staff appreciation dinner in 2021. From left to right: Norzieana, Clancia (GETS), Adeline (GETS), Amanina, Georgiana and Karen

Sarawakiana Division, Sibu is one of the divisions under the purview of Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Sibu. The role of the Division is to manage the Special Collection in Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Sibu which mainly deals with rare and archival materials of various topics, formats or periods as well as carry out activities that supports awareness of publications or printed materials received or enforced through the Legal Deposit functions for the central region of Sarawak.

Initially, Sarawakiana Unit was placed under Technical Services Division, Sibu during its establishment in November 2018 but became its own separate division called Depository Services in January 2021. In January 2022, Depository Services Division was renamed to Sarawakiana Division, Sibu. The division is supported by two units:

1. Special Collection Unit

2. Legal Deposit Unit

Main Roles & Functions

Sarawakiana Division staff during Hari Bersama Pelanggan, Pustaka Sibu in February 2022

The Special Collections are housed in Closed Stack, Special Collections Room as well as displayed in Pustaka Negeri Sarawak Sibu while copies of Legal Deposit materials are kept in Utility Room, Level 1 at Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, Sibu.

The role of Sarawakiana Division as in the Sarawak State Library Ordinance, 1999are:

1. To develop and preserve Pustaka’s niche collection (Sarawakiana Collections) as prescribed under Sarawak State Library Ordinance Cap 29.
2. To enforce the statutory provision of the Legal Deposit, as stated under Section 15 of the Sarawak State Library Ordinance, 1999.
3. To promote services, programs and activities and makes information accessible to public and researchers as prescribed under Sarawak State Library Ordinance Cap. 29.

Current Staff

As of April 2022, there are 4 permanent staff under Sarawakiana Division, Sibu.

1. Nur Amanina Mastani: Head of Division
2. Georgiana Usun Jok: Special Collection Unit (Acquisition of Sarawakiana Materials, Oral History and Publication)
3. Norzieana binti Mohammad Nasir: Legal Deposit Unit
4. Karen Angelina Lim Kar Leng: Special Collection Unit (Sarawakiana Talk, Exhibition and Workshop)

University Interns and GETS Trainees

Sarawakiana Division, Sibu also accepts university interns as well as GETS trainee who are required to do their industrial training. As of April 2022, Sarawakiana Division, Sibu has received a total of 3 GETS trainees and 2 interns.

1. Clancia Pinny - GETS Trainee (Nov 2020-Nov 2021)
2. Adeline Wee Chai Hsia - GETS Trainee (Nov 2020-Nov 2021)
3. Norfarizan binti Kipli - UNIMAS Intern (July 2021-Sept 2021)
4. Davina Sharenya anak Chendang - GETS Trainee (Dec 2021-March 2022)
5. Evy Natasha anak Amit - UiTM Intern (March 2022)
6. Ivienna Vincent - UiTM Intern (Sept 2022-Feb 2023)
7. Angel - UiTM Intern (Sept 2022-Feb 2023)
8. Mohd. Zarees bin Amit (on rotation, 1st July 2023 - 31st July 2023)
9. Dayang Aimi Najiah binti Abang Ahmad Zaini (31st July 2023 - 6 October 2023)
10. Elvina anak Daniel (31st July 2023 - 6 October 2023)
11. Stacy Celestie anak Kennedy (31st July 2023 - 6 October 2023)

Special Collection Unit

The role of Special collection Unit includes:
1. To develop Sarawakiana Collection through purchase, bequeath/donation, content development, oral history, digitization and legal deposit especially on Sarawakiana and Borneo materials.
2. To acquire special collection materials.
3. To enrich Local Content development.
4. To process and preserve special collections materials.
5. To foster access, use and promotion of services and Special Collections and materials of archival value.
6. To record and upload video recording of local artists for Augmented Reality (AR).

Among the activities carried out by Special Collection Unit includes:

• Acquisition of Special Collection
• Oral History
• Publication
• Sarawakiana Talk
• Sarawakiana Exhibition

Oral History

1. To preserve State’s heritage especially on social and cultural history.
2. To document oral history.
3. To promote awareness on the importance of Oral History and initiate discussion and training on the oral history practices.
4. To process and foster access and use of oral history collections.

Legal Deposit Unit

• Legal Deposit Awareness
• Legal Deposit Receiving
• Market & Media Screening

1. To ensure that the literary heritage and information in the state is preserved for researchers and scholarly use and for generations to come.
2. To acquire and provide library resources or materials published in Sarawak.
3. To provide bibliographic records according to the standards based on published materials.
4. To maintain statistical records of library resources or materials published in Sarawak.
5. To provide awareness, advisory services, promotion and enforcement of Legal Deposit requirements in the state through program/activities and collaborations.

Initiatives

1. Sarawakiana Festival
2. Sarawak Authors Festival
3. Sarawakiana Exhibition
4. Sarawakiana Talk
5. Sarawakiana Series
6. Jejak Sarawakiana
7. LOCKE Database

Links

• e-TerbitS
• e-Sarawak Gazette
• Sarawakiana Portal
• Sarawakiana Carnival