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This paper presents the results of a study that identifies the information needs of music students at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). A survey method using questionnaires were distributed to 150 respondents of music students, of which 130 (86.67 %) were returned. The findings revealed that the most needed music information by respondents are music theory, notation, aural skill, music recordings, music instrument, rhythms, music resources, harmony (chord), arranging (score) and music history. The methods used to get the information are by discussing with their friends/relative, talking to senior students, surfing internet, read book and advice from the expert in order to get the information. The findings will assist the librarians to identify the information required by music students and improve the information sources to

Abstract. The 2014 flood was reported to be one of the worst natural disaster has ever affected several states in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Overwhelming rainfall was noted as one of the main factors causing such impact, which was claimed to be unprecedented to some extent. The state of Perak, which is blessed with four cascading dams had also experienced flood damage at a scale that was considered the worst in history. The rainfall received had caused the dam to reach danger level that necessitated additional discharge to be released. Safety of the dams was of great importance and such unavoidable additional discharge was allowed to avoid catastrophic failure of the dam structures. This paper discusses the dam pre-release as a significant dam management strategy in reducing flood impact. An important balance between required dam storage to be maintained and the risk element that can be afforded is the crucial factor in such enhanced operation strategy. While further possibility in developing a carefully engineered dam pre-release strategy can be explored for dam operation in Malaysia, this has already been introduced in some developed countries. Australia and South Africa are examples where pre-release has been practiced and proven to reduce flood risk. The concept involves controlling the dam lake level throughout the year, in reference to the rainfall data and the hydrological properties for the catchment area of the dams. Plentiful data analysis need to be done in contemplation of producing the optimal pre-release model. The amount of heavy rainfalls received is beyond human control but the distribution of the discharge from the dams can be further managed with the appropriate pre-release strategy.

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This paper presents part of a study that investigates the level of importance of the various types (kinds) of information needed by music students at the Faculty of Music in one public university in Malaysia. A sample of 150 respondents of music students were taken, of which 130 (86.67 %) of the distributed questionnaire were returned. The findings revealed that two types of music information are perceived by the respondents to be important to their academic matters. They are information related to the notation (mean = 4.14) and music theory (mean = 4.02). The rest are considered as quite important which are aural skill (mean = 3.98), music instrument (mean = 3.91), music recordings (mean = 3.88), rhythms (mean = 3.83), music resource (mean = 3.87), harmony (chord) (mean = 3.81), arranging (score) (mean = 3.75) and composition (arrangement) (mean = 3.69). There is no evidence of difference regarding the level of importance of music information differences which are gender, age and course among the groups of respondents. The findings will assist the librarians to identify the information required by music students in order to fulfill the students' information needs especially regarding the academic matters towards their academic development.