Are you a nostalgic person? Will you long for the chance to visit a place you stayed in before again? To me, HKUST library is the place I would never feel bored visiting again and again.
As a patron…
I am a HKUST 2017 alumnus with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. But before taking the 4-year bachelor’s degree, I have already been to the library and experienced the beauty of the 5-storey building.
If you are familiar with HKUST Library history, you may know that the library was actually open to the public before 2016 – there were no entry gates! So before I was an official university student, I had already ‘sneaked’ into the library on the UST Open Day. I remembered the amazement I had when I found out the shelves in LG3 and LG4 were actually movable. The enormous size of the building, and the view you have when you are walking along the staircases, were certainly stunning and to be honest, UST library was one of the reasons why I chose HKUST to have my tertiary education.
As a worker…
Starting this winter, my relationship with UST library has changed from a visitor to a staff member. Have you ever watched any documentaries that reveal the behind scenes of a corporation, for example, Megafactories from National Geographic Channel? To me, every day here is just like a member-exclusive tour to the library. Where does the road lead you to if you go to LG7 using the library main lift? What happens before and after the opening hours? What kinds of work do the staff need to do every day to ensure the library runs smoothly? These questions were once in my head and are now being answered when I am working here.
Sometimes, UST Library can still bring me surprise even though it was one of my most familiar places in the campus. Colorful carrels in LG3 and LG4 with seat numbers marked, nap pods on LG1, and the new LG5 extension are some of many examples of our library evolving in recent years. I am looking forward to witnessing how the library changes in the near future. Perhaps when you come back to the library after 10 years’ time, you will receive a VR headset that will provide one-on-one customer service when you are in the library!
As a person …
I have visited many other libraries – a must-go attraction when you are overseas!
Although most of them have their own special charming style, HKUST Library stills hold a special place in my heart. Du Fu (杜甫), one of the famous poets in Tong (唐) dynasty, has wrote this phrase in his poet : “月是故鄉明”, in English, the moon in the homeland is brighter. To me, UST is my home and UST Library is the most special library in my heart.
Onion Pong
Resource Management Unit
lbonion@ust.hk
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