Quantum² : InfoStars : Ann Kwee Lim

Ann Kwee Lim

The Defense Science Technology Agency's Ann Kwee Lim

The Defense Science Technology Agency (DSTA) is an agency of Ministry of Defence (MINDEF). It has one of the largest scientific and engineering workforces in Singapore. The DSTA provides leading edge and innovative solutions that make the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) a formidable fighting force for the defense and security of Singapore.

Managing the DSTA's information resources requires an information professional who is ready for the challenges of a dynamic and fast-paced organization. As manager of the DSTA's Information Resource Center (IRC), Ann Kwee Lang Lim has demonstrated the ability and enthusiasm to meet these challenges and to become an InfoStar.

In addition to research, Ann's responsibilities include strategic goal setting, budgeting and managing ties with vendors, both in Singapore and internationally. She is also involved in defining areas of information needs, proactively promoting information publishing and visibility across DSTA, participation in fostering a knowledge sharing culture and promoting responsible usage of information with respect to intellectual property.

The nine-member Information Resource Center (IRC) that Ann leads provides selective disseminated information (SDI) on 20 topics, nine value-added services in its virtual library over the intranet and seven over the counter. These SDI and value-added services are regularly used as alert and research tools by IRC customers.

The IRC has recently launched its third-generation web-site, riding on in-house intranet with secure wireless and internet connectivity. With the new IRC Web, the IRC customers now have seamless access to Internet resources in addition to the vast pools of rich internal resources. Further enhancements in the pipeline include eLibrary service with t-loan of e-book and soft-copy materials. This is possible with plug-in applications for sophisticated digital rights management and logins to subscribed web resources.

As with most of today's libraries, technology is transforming the face of services at the IRC, says Ann. Technology has quickened the pace of transactions. Where it once took eight weeks to purchase a title from overseas, online purchasing now has made the process immediate by downloading a publication.

With technology such as digital rights management, more can now be delivered safely and responsibly over the network. Ann thinks technology is shifting the role of information professionals. Instead of traditional library services over the counter, we can expect more ready and online resources that deliver valuable materials at one finger' tips.