Discover the Fascinating World of Maps at our Exhibition
Step into the Library and prepare to be captivated by the immersive atmosphere of our latest exhibition. Since September an enticing backdrop, an interesting video of Minecraft play scenes, and a colossal globe-like structure have enticed visitors. The Library presents its largest exhibition to date, showcasing our collection of Antique Maps of China, crafted three–four centuries ago.
China in Maps: 500 Years of Evolving Images, offers a curated selection of treasures from our esteemed collection. It delves into the evolution of European and Chinese mapmakers’ depictions of the land and geography of China over half a millennium. Immerse yourself in a captivating journey through time as you explore these rare artifacts.
What sets this exhibition apart is the innovative approach taken by our curators, Dr. Marco Caboara and Dr. Christine Kaiser. Rather than organizing maps chronologically or geographically, they arranged them in thematic clusters. This unconventional approach allows visitors to perceive the varied perspectives of mapmakers throughout history, highlighting how the representation of reality was not always their primary concern.
We invite you to embark on this enlightening adventure. Prepare to be dazzled by the exquisite beauty of these maps and enjoy a voyage of discovery through the intertwined narratives of history, technology, and cultural exchange. This exhibition promises to broaden your horizons and ignite your curiosity like never before. It will forever change the way you perceive the world of maps.
Come and Meet our Student Docents
When you visit the exhibition venues in the Library, meet our fantastic team of Student Docents. Over 20 students from various schools and disciplines at HKUST have undergone comprehensive training in exhibition operations and have acquired a deep understanding of the curatorial concepts and map knowledge from the exhibition curators. Feel free to approach them for an introduction to the exhibition or to satisfy your curiosity with any questions about the maps. Student Docents are eager to share their expertise and enhance your exhibition experience.
Enrich Your Visit with Guided Tours and Talks
The exhibition has an exciting schedule of events. Guided tours are led by our student docents, and offer a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the exhibition. They will provide a more profound understanding of the maps and ample opportunities to engage with the docents – allowing your curiosity to flourish. Watch for announcements on the Library and exhibition website for intriguing talks by speakers. For instance, representatives from HKUST VisLab will share their experience on the development of the Ricci Map AR app, revealing fascinating aspects of the exhibition.
An Interactive Journey in the Shaw Auditorium
The Library Systems team has also crafted a captivating running game that retraces the footsteps of Dutch traveler Johan Nieuhof (1618-1672) during his epic journey from Guangdong to Beijing between 1655 and 1657. Step into Room 119 of the Shaw Auditorium, where this immersive experience awaits you until the end of the year. Immerse yourself in the sights encountered by Nieuhof as you embark on this tour. Transport yourself back in time through this unique and interactive addition to the exhibition.
Mapping East Asia in Context Symposium
We are delighted to announce that the Library is organizing the Mapping East Asia in Context Symposium on December 6-8, 2023. We will bring together scholars from across the globe to reflect on the state of the field with maps of East Asia produced from 1300 – 1800 drawn by Chinese, Korean, and European mapmakers, focusing on the circulation of cartographic knowledge both within East Asia and from East Asia to Europe.
The symposium includes four public talks and a full-day workshop. Seeking to engage the HKUST community and the broader audience of Hong Kong academia, the public talks will be delivered by esteemed speakers, including Dr. Marco Caboara (Senior Lecturer, Division of Humanities, HKUST), Dr. Song Gang (Associate Professor, School of Chinese, HKU), Dr. Mario Cams (Associate Professor of Chinese Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium), and Dr. Lin Hong (Associate Professor, Department of History, Shanghai Normal University). Talks will be held at our LG4 Multi-Function Room on December 6 and 8.
The workshop, scheduled for December 7, aims to create a collaborative environment for map scholars to share knowledge, insights and research findings. Further details about the symposium can be found on the Library’s website. Please join us in these exciting conversations on maps!
Japanese coloured manuscript copy of Matteo Ricci’s seminal wall map of the world.
Collection Spotlight — Databases for Financial Data and Analytics
PitchBook is a comprehensive database providing data on public and private markets with a focus on private equity, venture capital, and M&A deals. With its user-friendly interface and powerful search capabilities, PitchBook makes it easy for you to find information on deal multiples, fundraising trends, industry-specific metrics, and more.
S&P Capital IQ Pro is another powerful tool for financial data and analytics. It offers quick and easy access to information on private and public companies, executive profiles, estimates, industry analysis, commodities information, economic data, and screening for market intelligence and investment opportunities.The platform also has a powerful Excel plug-in that allows for in-depth data and financial research analysis.
Empowering Research Discovery: Transformative AI Technologies
Join us for the Researchers’ Series Special Topics 2023 symposium, where we will delve into the impact of AI on research discovery and scholarly communication. This event will be online via Zoom, and we welcome all HKUST staff and students to join: https://library.hkust.edu.hk/events/conferences/ai-scholarly-commu-2023/
Talk 1: Search Engine and Large Language Models – Can They Truly Change the Game?
Academic search engines are in a race to incorporate the latest advancements brought about by Large Language models (LLMs) in terms of their ability to understand queries, extract information and directly generate answers.
On Nov 14, Mr. Aaron Tay from Singapore Management University Libraries will share his experience testing and using these tools and his best guess on how they might develop in the future. He will also discuss their potential impact on research writing.
Talk 2: Saving Time and Sanity: Using Active Learning for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
Conducting a systematic review or meta-analysis often involves screening an overwhelming number of research papers. The reality is, there is simply not enough time to read every article.
On Nov 15, Prof. Rens van de Schoot from Utrecht University will introduce ASReview, a powerful free and open-source software for systematic reviewing. Rens will explain how active learning, a machine learning technique, can accelerate manual screening process by saving up to 95% of screening time.
Talk 3: Generative AI for Translational Scholarly Communication
Scientific publications contain invaluable insights that are often isolated and seldom translated into practical outcomes that directly benefit humanity. These research-to-practice gaps impede the diffusion of innovation, undermine evidence-based decision making, and contribute to the disconnect between science and the public.
On Nov 22, Dr. Lucy Lu Wang from the University of Washington will uncover the potential of generative AI in improving scholarly communication, making research more accessible through short summaries and engaging visuals that enhance understanding and captivate a wide range of readers.
Telling Library Stories
In September, the Library launched a new platform for our staff to present more personal stories. We copied over some relevant articles from the older Library Blog platform and began telling new stories. We are posting fairly short stories about the Library, its services, facilities, resources, staff, or other items of interest selected by library staff members.
We started off by describing the new study pods, and the new home for the microforms collection. Our Director, Gabi, spoke of one of her favorite spots in the Library. Another colleague highlighted the ground floor cleaning staff, Jan Jie.
George, the tree in the Library Garden, was introduced – including how he got his name.
More stories are coming, highlighting some speakers, describing how Minecraft invaded the building, explaining how we prioritize user space over staff space, and many other topics.
Visit our Library Stories at https://library.hkust.edu.hk/blog/. If you want, you can use the buttons to share on your social media – HKUST community members can even comment on the stories by logging in with HKUST SSO. Who knows – maybe we can start some conversations.
There should be 1-2 Library Stories posted per week. Check them out and see if this gives you another perspective on the HKUST Library. And if you have any ideas for stories you would like to hear, let us know at library@ust.hk.
Library iTalk –「然後去了拍電影」
Over 60 students and colleagues attended the Library iTalk 「然後去了拍電影」by alumnus Mr. Ka Sing Fung on October 5. Mr. Ka enrolled in Chemistry at HKUST in 2004, later discovering his interest in writing. He is a library lover and came to the HKUST Library often, exploring the shelves and discovering many gems – good books on art, literature, and design. In his sophomore year, he worked as a part-time journalist for a local cultural magazine; after graduation, he was a full-time reporter and travel journalist. In 2017, he began directing films of different genres, and his first feature film, 《流水落花》Lost Love, was released in 2023.
During the talk, Mr. Ka humorously shared the fortuitous story of how a chemistry graduate turned to an award-winning film director. Participants were intrigued by his charm. They remarked:
- For me, the talk highlights were the life experience of the instructor, I was inspired that if I have something desired to do, I should not afraid of failure and try it.
- It teaches me that it is never too late to chase for your dream and that your future job do not have to be fixed by the program you are studying now.
- The sharing experience was very fruitful,letting me understand the large opportunities of seeking our dreams and how our future is not only limited to our studies in university, it is rather our passion.
- The experience of travelling different countries during working years.
- 賈先生分享他做明周採訪，探監寫故事
In November, returning speaker Mr. Roy Delbyck, lawyer and collector, will bring interesting parts of his collection to discuss transitions between eras.
Your Library! Your Voice!
Help shape the future of your Library! Take part in our 2023 web-based LibQUAL+® survey (https://library.hkust.edu.hk/about-us/user-engagement/libqual2023/). This online questionnaire for current students and staff will be available from November 1-30 and includes 27 fundamental questions, centered around 3 crucial dimensions:
- Service Experience: Share your thoughts on the services provided by the Library.
- Library Environment: Evaluate the Library’s ambiance and how it supports your learning, research, and personal growth.
- Information Accessibility: Let us know how effectively the Library organizes and offers information resources.
For each question, the survey asks you to rate:
- The minimum service level you find acceptable.
- The service level you desire.
- Your perception of the actual service performance.
It’s worth noting that we’re celebrating our 5th survey collaboration with seven other UGC libraries: CityU, CUHK, EdUHK, HKBU, HKU, LU, and PolyU. This collaborative effort give us all a broader outlook on library services, and allows us to measure our performance against peer institutions in Hong Kong. LibQUAL+® is more than just a regional initiative. In 2020, it engaged over 1,300 libraries in 35 countries, collecting a vast 2.9 million responses from library users.
As a token of our appreciation, we are offering you an impressive array of prizes! By participating, you stand a chance to win fantastic rewards, such as iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, Insta 360 cameras, or exclusive Library coffee mugs. We are also giving out bookstore, coffee shop, and supermarket coupons to help you stock up on your favourite reads and beverages.
Simply provide your HKUST e-mail address upon completing the survey, and you’ll be entered into a lucky draw for a chance to win these exciting prizes! Your voice matters, and your participation could make you a winner.
A Digital Dive into Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western Sea
In a joint venture between the Library and the Division of Humanities, the Digital Humanities (DH) Workshop has initiated a novel project on early Chinese literature. Led by Prof. Jin Huan from the Division of Humanities, this endeavor aims to harness DH tools, such as text mining and GIS mapping, to explore the depths of the early Chinese novel, Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western Sea (Sanbao taijian xi yang ji 《 三寶太監西洋記 》 1597).
We are excited to announce that this initiative has been awarded seed grant funding from the DH Workshop for the fall semester of 2023. This grant can support the onboarding and mentoring of both UG and PG students, offering them the opportunity to participate in this innovative project under the mentorship of the DH Workshop.
The dedicated project team includes Prof. Jin Huan, DH Specialist Dr. Qiuzi Guo, DH Assistant Manager Holly Chan, and two UG students, Lau Ming Kit from Computer Engineering and Yip Sau Lai from Data Science and Technology.
Currently, our focus is on text analysis that delves into 16th-century Chinese vernacular novels. We have discovered that the CKIP transformer is exceptionally adept at discerning styles between vernacular and classical Chinese.
We are examining the distinctive linguistic style of early Chinese novels, examining its evolution towards a more refined style, akin to that in Dream of the Red Chamber. We are also probing the interplay between early novels and contemporary drama texts. Additionally, we are designing a multi-layered story map, which will present contrasting layers of Zheng He’s Voyages to the Western Sea, capturing both an imagined realm and the tangible world of the late 16th century.
last modified 01 November 2023