Introduction
Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is a research-led university, recognizing internationally for its unique features in learning and teaching, research, social service, and education management. XJTLU Library, a key component of the University’s success, is committed to offering excellence in all areas of our provision and service. After years of rapid development, the XJTLU Library is now recognized as a student-centred, research-led academic library.
The Library is now strategically implementing its concept; “Be SMART (Service, Management, Accumulation, Research, Teaching), Be SURE (Search, Utilize, Rethink, Evaluation)”. To serve as a lighthouse for guidance in the vast ocean of information, the Library is expanding its functions to “LAMP” (Library, Archive, Museum and Publisher).
Vision
The Library of Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University enriches the intellectual and creative life of our communities by facilitating information discovery and the creation and dissemination of research.
Mission
The University Library is an integral part of the educational process, contributing to excellent levels of teaching and students experience. High Level support and access for all students, including part-time and distance learning students is critical to delivering our mission.
At the heart of a leading research-led joint venture international university, the Library of Xi’an Jiaotong – Liverpool University provides exceptional research support to its own community of researchers and beyond, and is a recognized partner in the China’s academic library network.
The University Library is a blended library, offering digital and print resources, with virtual, mobile and face-to-face services, to support multiple approaches to research, learning and teaching.
The University Library is a distinctive, welcoming space for study with state-of-art facilities, and a venue for educational and cultural events.
Facilities
The Library at SIP campus is located in the Central Building and was opened in August 2013 with a total area of 22,000 square meters. 2,800 seats are provided for studying, discussion, computer lab use and studio work. The library at Taicang campus was opened in September 2022 with an overall floor area of over 6500 square meters and 400 seats. The design of XJTLU library is rich in cultural and academic atmosphere.
Collections
The Library is playing a key role as the Research Support and Learning Centre in XJTLU by adopting the latest development trends of other top university libraries around the world. The Library has developed its collection by focusing on university disciplines and research strategies. With over 90% of the printed collection being academic books in English, the collection is well-balanced among science, engineering, business, management, humanities and social sciences, and arts. Currently, XJTLU Library holds over 610,000 printed books, 222 Chinese magazines and periodicals, 129 overseas periodicals and 34 newspapers. To keep pace with the development strategies of the University, the Library is continuously creating responsive collections to align with the University’s needs of teaching, research, and syntegrative education.
Digital Resources
In addition to the physical collections, XJTLU Library is strategically on its way to becoming a digital library, emphasizing digital resources produced domestically and overseas. There are more than 160 academic electronic databases available on campus, containing more than 100,000 academic journals, 3.3 million classic academic e-books, and a significant resource of dissertations and conference papers.
The Library implements discovery service ‘Discover’, providing user-friendly access to library holdings through single-search box interfaces and faceted navigation. Off-campus access techniques ensure seamless access to the Library’s digital resources from anywhere, anytime.
Services
The professional librarians are not only trusted research partners but also mentors and teachers who assist students with independent learning in the information age. They offer information literacy courses, research methodology and information skills training. The Library organises training programs throughout the academic cycle to help staff and students make better use of resources and services.
The Library offers various discipline-specific reference and consultation services through a Multi-Channel Communication Platform ‘LibAnswers+Social’ which allows professional librarians to build a self-service FAQ portal for end-users and answer their questions via LibChat, SMS, Email, and appointments made online. Our professional librarians continue to devote their energy, drive and enthusiasm to create a well-designed one-stop reference platform. Besides, they collect and analyse data on all reference transactions to inform decision-making.
Library Partnerships & Associations
As a member of the Suzhou University Library Association, the Jiangsu Academic Library and Information System, and the China Academic Library and Information System, XJTLU Library engages in inter-library exchanges and cooperation. It also provides Inter-library Loan Services with the National Library of China and the Shanghai Library. Besides, Suzhou SIP Library is one partner of the National Science and Technology Library and its resources are shared with XJTLU Library. The Chinese collection at Suzhou SIP Library is a great supplement to XJTLU Library's Western-dominated holdings.
Strategic Plan
XJTLU Library’s strategy will be reviewed and developed in the light of the wider framework set by the University, especially as the University is planning for its next 5-year from the year 2021 to 2025 and will be measured by its feasibility, focus and sustainability.
Related Link: Library Strategy 2015 – 2019
Related Link: Library Strategy 2022 – 2026