The Central Library has implemented an access-control system in a move to enhance security and prevent unauthorized users from entering the library. Since July, users are required to scan their student or staff cards at the access gates before entering.

Patrick Lye, senior librarian of the loans and membership department, said one of the reasons for implementing an access-control system is to protect the library’s books and equipment.

He added that with the increasing student population in private institutions around the vicinity, there is a need to prevent non-NUS students or personnel from entering the university’s libraries.

“Apart from this, we also try to ensure that only bona fide users enter the library,” Lye said.

However, some users reported problems in accessing the library with their user cards.

Lee Boon Hwa, a third-year finance major, was one of the users who could not access the Central Library with his student card.

“I tried putting my card on the reader but for some reason, I cannot enter the gate,” Lee said.

Lee said he sought help from the librarians at the front desk and was eventually allowed to enter the library after they manually unlocked the gate for him.

He said he subsequently went to the Student Service Centre for help but was referred to the Computer Centre instead.

“I was told that it would take around one week-plus to settle my card problem,” he said.

Lee also said he could not access other restricted areas, such as the Hon Sui Sen Memorial Library and the computer lab in the School of Business, with his faulty student card.

“Right now I have no legal access to other restricted areas, so I’m using my friend’s card first,” he said.

Lye said the use of expired user cards is usually the cause of access related problems.

“Usual problems faced by people are when students’ cards are expired,” Lye said. “I don’t know what’s the reason, but we’ll send them to the Registrar’s Office and the Computer Centre to iron it out.”

According to Lye, the Central Library has taken measures to help users who have problems accessing the library with their user cards.

“We have printed out the information on a slip of paper,” he said. “At this time, we don’t deny them access while the dust is settling. Subsequently, we will be more stringent when the system is stabilized.”

Lye said the access-control gates have been installed since the Central Library was renovated back in 2004. However, the implementation of the access-control system was only done last month.

“[The] gate has always been there since the library was renovated in 2004. Just that it was never turned on,” he said.

Lye also said that a pilot test was conducted a month before its implementation and the provost has briefed student representatives about it.

However, some NUS users were not in favor of the access-control system.

Alvin Lee, a third-year communications and new media major, said the access gates are inconvenient.

“I did not like it [access control]. It’s rather time consuming as there are only two gates,” Lee said. “I feel that if they want to implement this, they should make a few more gates.”

Joshua Teo, a fourth-year life science major, agreed with Lee.

“I feel that it will cause minor inconveniences, especially when human traffic into the library gets heavy and students still have to whip out their cards to scan for entry,” Teo said.

Other users said the access-control system could be improved. Gina Goh, a fourth-year communications and new media major, is one such user.

“Personally, I think it’s a pointless system unless it can be improved. You can get through using the same matric card twice consecutively,” Goh said. “I guess they have to find some way to make it such that one person would not be able to use another person's card to enter the library when the person has supposedly used it to enter earlier.”

Apart from the Central Library, other libraries and selected facilities in NUS have also implemented the access-control system.

Lye said the access-control system is jointly administered by different departments, including the NUS Computer Centre, the Office of Estate and Development, and the Registrar’s Office.