As the year closes, it is an opportune moment to reflect with humility on the year passed, and to look forward with hope to the year coming. I would like to attempt a brief review and preview about the Library’s work.
2024
In 2024, the Library team worked very hard to update and upgrade services on all fronts. Here are a few examples.
We opened the LG5 learning space in Spring; hosted the signature special collections exhibition of antique maps; organized a variety of talks by interesting speakers, including a Chinese Opera demonstration in collaboration with Xiqu Centre of westK; boosted streaming content in the collections such as Kanopy.
On learning and research support, we created many new workshops that cover AI tools for academic use; and we enabled HKUST authors to publish their research papers Open Access via agreements with publishers.
These are only some of the prominent outcomes of the Library team’s collective efforts. Each of these posed unique challenges to us, and we overcame many with perseverance, agility, and creativity.
2025
What new things will you find in and from the Library in 2025? Many library services will naturally roll along the same tracks, but it doesn’t mean they are not new! For example, we will continue to find speakers for inspiring talks, and to explore new academic tools to help you keep up with the AI wave. Among many upcoming services, I would like to share a few 2025 excitements with you:
- New monitors at G/F: you may remember, not long ago, we asked you to vote on the choices of monitors. When you return to school after the New Year holiday, you will see new monitors on G/F.
- E-Discovery Week 2025 (Feb 17-21): a week of games, learning, and prizes; you can participate in activities to explore the Library’s electronic resources (databases, e-books, e-journals) in a fun way with opportunities to win prizes!
- New Open Access publishing agreements: we are negotiating hard with a number of publishers to get OA publishing allowance within acceptable costs. We cannot tell you at this moment who we are working with, but hopefully we will have good news for you in January.
- New individual study seats: we have been planning to install modular study seats on LG4 and in the LC. You can see a sample of modular seats on G/F. Expect to see the new study seats in Fall 2025!
I look forward to seeing these and many other library programs rolling out in 2025.
Lastly, may I wish you all a fruitful, meaningful, and healthy 2025!
Gabi Wong
Library Director
lbgabi@ust.hk
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