Acknowledgement

Assalamualaikum w.b.t.

Alhamdullilah, with the abundance of grace and enjoyment of the time, the energy of life
that was bestowed upon me I can also complete this assignment successfully. This assignment is
very important to me as this is part of the subject-specific work . Along with appreciation for my
subject lecturer’s, Madam NurHidayah for giving me supervision, and guidance.

Next, I thank my parents for giving me support and encouragement trough out this
assignment until it was completed. Thank you very much to my colleagues who helped me by
giving me a great deal of guidance. Your help on this assignment is very much appreciated and I
will never forget it.

Finally thanks to the parties who have assisted me directly and indirectly.
Introduction

Libraries have known as a very important public institutions in Malaysia since the era of
British Colony. During that time it was more well-known as Kutubkhanah where books were
stored in a corner of the school. Later the name was changed to library, a term that signifies
building which kept a collection of books for public reading (Fatimah, 2002). Today, most
schools have their own libraries or also known as school resource centers. According to Abdul
Rahim (1990) SRCs are centers that constitute the collection of both printed and non-printed
materials including reference books, documents, newspapers, models, charts, diagrams, maps,
slide films, projectors, tape recorders, multimedia kits, and others. Today, most schools define
SRC as a unit that integrates library books, learning tools, as well as teaching aid services (Mok,
2003).

One of the challenges of the 21st century is about living in an progressively complex
world. Without information literacy skills, it is impossible for individuals especially students to
search for relevant knowledge materials effectively. SRC is known as an important institution in
Malaysia that provide students with vital information to teach them the correct way to receives
and spread information.

Experience
 In my past experiences using SRC at Sekolah Menengah Islam Al Amin Gombak. The
students usually visited the SRC during their spare time and some only visited during NILAM
programs. For me, I only visited the SRC when there are school programs or meetings, talks and
briefing held there. The SRC was located at the fourth level of the school main building before it
was relocated to the second floor of Musolla building, therefore the location is more strategic for
students to use.

In the months near to Sijil Penilaian Menengah (SPM), my friends and I frequently visit
SRC at recess and after school hours for leisure reading and to borrow reference books for
learning purposes. We often hangouts for a few hour to finish our homework and having study
groups there. Sometimes, we would use the convenient of a LCD projector to watch movies that
can be connected via external hard disk.

Besides using SRC for personel gains. We used SRC to search and borrows book to
complete some projects that has been given by the teachers. Regarding on how we searched
materials in SRC, we preferred using the traditional method. We will performed shelf to shelf
browsing to search for the right materials rather than using catalogue card. Sometimes we will
ask assistance from the librarian to help in finding the correct materials.

Services
 Al Amin SRC collection usually consists of important reference books and materials that
are normally being used extensively in teaching and learning and a lot of Islamic reading
material as we are an Islamic school . There is a spot that specifies in providing materials such as
dictionaries, encyclopedias, and academic reference books for students and teachers. Besides
that, there are also leisure area that provides leisure reading materials such as fiction, non-fiction,
magazines and newspapers. This area also concludes gameboards such as Sahibba and Monopoli
Islamic for student to play. Students usually hang out at this area after school while waiting their
parents to fetch them from school.

Other than books, the SRC also provides internet connection for teachers to use to find
suitable materials and to use for teaching purpose as there is a space to held a class there. This
same area also will be used by the students after school hours as it also can act as a learning
space. Our SRC also have the basic materials such as atlas and globes to be used by students.
There is also a LCD Projector to show videos and slides to teach a 21st century way of teaching.

Besides from learning and reading area. The SRC also has a lounge for students and
teachers where they can eat and drink. The concept of Al Amin SRC is to feel like home where
you can relax and enjoy the environment rather than surrounding by books.

Activities and Programs

 There are a lot of programs and activities that are usually being held at the SRC. Usually
the activities are held by the teachers. Teachers are requires to do a virtual activities with the
student in class as it is required in this 21st century way of learning that set by the government.
SRC is the suitable place to do the teaching-learning process as it provides LCD monitor and
internet connections.

Besides activities from teachers and students. The SRC also responsible to held a
program annually for staffs, teachers and students. Recently, Al Amin SRC held an
Independence Day Quiz and Malaysia Day 2017. They placed an exhibition space about the
relating event for the student to interact with such as painting, quiz and indoor games. The
mainly objective of the program is to have interactive activities with all the school community
besides than celebrate the Independence Day.

Even though Al Amin is a private school. We also have programs such as NILAM that
the objective is to encourage student to read more and increase the quantity and quality of
students and academic achievement. At the end of the month, students with the highest reading
in NILAM will receive souvenir from the school as an appreciation.
Expectations

I have a bit expectation towards my SRC. SRC should be the place that not only you can
obtain knowledge but also the place where you can interact with other people too. Additionally,
I expect the SRC to be an active place for teachers and students who are not limited to learning
and even do fun activities. Apart from staff who are qualified and skilled in doing the job, it is
important for the staff to be friendly and easy to mix with SRC users to make their activities
more fun other than just organize bookshelf.

Recommendations

I recommend the school to provide a complete facility at the resource center for the
benefit of students such as the convenience of a computer that can be used to obtain the latest
information.

Next, I recommend that the resource center provide an appropriate game materials for
teachers and students and add new diversity of reading materials. The resource center should also
be constantly updated so that management systems such as loans, returns systems will be more
effective. In addition, the process will save a lot of time .

Finally, resource centers will certainly become more modern if they provide multimedia
rooms or multimedia facilities such as printing machines, photostat or tablet for teachers and
students to ease them looking for information on the internet.
Conclusion

In conclusion, the school resources provide services and learning resources in a variety of
ways to enable students to become informative, creative and critical thinkers. Hence, it is up to
the students to either use it or otherwise. All parties should shoulder their efforts in improving
the use of school resource center.
References

Abdul Rahim Selamat. (1990). Pengurusan Sekolah Bistari, Johor Bahru : Badan Cemerlang
Sdn Bhd.

Fatimah Jusoh. (2002, August). School libraries in Malaysia. In The 2002 IASL Conference,
Petaling Jaya: Malaysia.

Kwan, Kow Cheun. (1995). The teaching of information skills in Malaysia upper secondary
schools. Unpublished thesis. International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur

Mansor, Yushiana and Nor, Norhiyah Mohd, "Use of the School Resource Centre among
Malaysian High School Teachers" (2011). Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal).
588. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/588

Mok Soon Sang. (2003). Peperiksaan Penilaian Tahap Kecekapan Skim Perkhidmatan Guru.
Subang Jaya: Kumpulan Budiman Sdn Bhd.

Nurhidayah Nasharudin. (2018). Introduction to school resource center. Handbook of school

library and media duties. (PowerPoint slides).