Connecting People With Knowledge

​Ms Roslinda Binte Sabani, Executive, Education, NDCS

Looking back, Ms Roslinda Binte Sabani remembers the time when the National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS) library was a traditional paper-based repository of information.

"In the past, it was more like pen-and-paper inventory sorting, photocopying of articles and physical reading," she said. Today, all that has changed, with cover-to-cover indexing and abstracts for 160 journals and dozens of monographs, as well as access to full-text articles online for clinicians embarking on research, write-ups and projects. "The library today is a vibrant space where information can be easily accessed at the tip of your fingers," shares Roslinda.

In 2001, Roslinda's knowledge in library management was given a boost when she was offered a sponsorship to study part-time for a year in Temasek Polytechnic's "Certificate in Library Studies'' programme. The programme included topics such as Principles of Bibliographic Control and Organisation of Information and armed her with the necessary expertise which she put to full use by representing NDCS in the SingHealth Librarians Working Committee since its formation in 2006.

Roslinda sees her role in the library as beyond just purely information organisation and management. She works closely with clinicians to identify their needs and connects them with the appropriate resources to help them in different aspects of their work, be it pursuing research or gathering educational materials for teaching. Apart from her librarian role, Roslinda also coordinates and organises training programmes for her colleagues in NDCS. To be able to share knowledge and resources gives meaning to her work and continues to drive her to excel in her field of expertise.