History of Sultan Abdul Samad Library

Early History: 1921-1968

The history of the Sultan Abdul Samad Library began with the founding of the Malayan Agricultural College on May 21, 1931, which aimed to support learning and research activities. Initially, the library was merely a small room with a limited collection of books and lacked essential amenities like adequate seating. Consequently, students had to take books back to their dormitories for use.

A significant transformation began in 1956 when the late Tan Sri Senu Abdul Rahman, a member of the College Advisory Council advocated for enhancements to the library. An initial allocation of RM2,500 in 1959 facilitated the purchase of books, furniture, and library equipment. Contributions to the collection were also received from various sources, including the Department of Agriculture and the Asia Foundation, boosting the library's collection to over 3,000 books by 1964.

In 1965, Mr. Lin Meng Fou was appointed to improve library management. His initiatives included implementing a more systematic classification and organization system, leading to rapid collection growth, which reached 7,000 volumes by the end of 1967.

During this period, the construction of a library building was prioritized under Malaysia’s First Development Plan (1966-1970). In 1968, Mr. Syed Salim Agha was appointed as the first Professional Librarian. Under his leadership, the library introduced user education programs, expanded staff numbers, and adopted the Library of Congress Classification Scheme for more efficient collection management.

Growth Era: 1968-1978

In 1971, the library's name was changed to align with the establishment of Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM). The new library building, completed in 1969, could house a collection of 30,000 books and offer reading space for 210 users. However, this capacity proved inadequate for the rapidly growing university.

To address this challenge, the construction of a larger library building commenced in 1973, designed to accommodate 120,000 books and provide 750 reading seats. In 1974, the library launched more comprehensive user education services, including courses on utilizing abstracts and indexes for final-year students. In 1982, the construction of the Second Block, referred to as Block A, was completed, further improving the library’s physical infrastructure.

The library also played a significant role in the AGRIS project, an international information system for agricultural science and technology, reinforcing its status as a key reference centre for the agricultural community both locally and internationally.

Modernization and Technology Era: 1979-1995

In 1979, the Sultan Abdul Samad Library embarked on a new phase by participating in collaborative cataloging through the Malaysian Machine-Readable Cataloging (MALMARC) project. Initially, cataloging data was recorded on forms and sent to Universiti Sains Malaysia for processing. By 1984, this data was transferred using magnetic tapes, resulting in microform catalogs. During this period, the library used two types of catalogs: Card Catalogs for books processed until 1978 and Microfiche Catalogs for books processed after 1979.

An additional library building completed in 1982 offered increased space, accommodating approximately 500,000 books and seating for 2,000 readers. The library initiated the development of a Malaysiana Collection,focusing on agricultural and related materials about Malaysia. In 1986, promotional efforts were introduced, including a Matrix Display Board to highlight library activities.

The late 1980s signified the library’s shift into the technological era with the acquisition of its first microcomputer in 1985, allowing online access to international databases through MAYPAC. CD-ROM technology was introduced to enhance information retrieval, providing further advantages to researchers and academics. By 1994, a CD-ROM networking system was implemented to accelerate data access.

In 1987, the library began developing internal databases using MIN/SIS software, including AGRIMAL (Malaysian agricultural information) and FAMILY (family development information). In January 1988, the VTLS (Virginia Tech Library System) was launched, facilitating online cataloging. By 1989, a computerized loan system was introduced, marking the end of the manual card catalog era.

Digital Expansion and Advanced Technology

In 1996, the library launched its website to offer users online access to its services and resources. Two faculty libraries were established—the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences in January 1998 and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in November 1999 marking a new chapter in the history of UPM Library.

The library also developed specialized collections, such as the Malaysiana Collection in 1985 and the University Oral History Collection in 2021. Digital initiatives, such as the Malaysian Agricultural Information Portal (MyAGRIC) and the Putra Archives System, further solidified the library's role as a central information hub in Malaysia.

Service Enhancements and Achievements

Throughout the 2000s, the Sultan Abdul Samad Library launched several initiatives to improve services, such as self-service borrowing machines in 2005, the eThesis portal in 2011, and the PSAS mobile app in 2020. The library has garnered various accolades, including the Excellent Library Award and recognition for outstanding service innovations.

Updated:: 13/11/2025 [amiruliqhmal]