As Irene Lo prepares to retire at the end of this month, I find myself reflecting on an extraordinary journey—one marked by quiet dedication, steadfast professionalism, and a profound love for our Library.
I first worked with Irene in the 1990s, when I was a young Executive Officer in the Administration Office. We were both assigned to the Facilities team, supporting a brand-new Library—its walls freshly painted, furniture gleaming, and a shared sense of excitement in the air as we equipped a space to serve a rapidly growing university community. What began as a working relationship quickly grew into a long-standing partnership built on mutual trust, respect, and shared purpose.
As the years went by, we often found ourselves tackling unexpected challenges together—figuring out how to clean the Library’s giant glass windows, replace high ceiling lights, install carpet beneath heavy bookshelves, prevent birds from flying indoors, and enforce social distancing protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we learned, adapted, and problem-solved—always with a focus on keeping the Library safe, functional, and supportive of teaching and learning.
Over the decades, Irene has been the backbone of our facilities operations. For this five-storey (expanded to six-storey in 2024) building, she handled an average of a thousand defect reports annually—many of them routine or repetitive—with tireless diligence and attention to detail. Whether coordinating complex repair workflows or liaising with contractors, she ensured that the Library remained clean, safe, functional, and welcoming.
To colleagues from the Campus Management Office—carpenters, painters, electricians, plumbers, gardeners—as well as contractors and janitorial staff, Irene became an iconic Library figure. She was the go-to person who always had the answers and the patience to guide each task to completion.
Long before sustainability became a university-wide initiative, Irene was already leading by example: reupholstering wooden reading chairs, salvaging reusable wooden furniture parts, replacing fluorescent lights with energy-efficient LEDs, and minimizing waste through thoughtful reuse. She trained contractors so well that many began anticipating issues and resolving them proactively—clearing drains before typhoons, for example. I have often heard visitors remark, “Your Library feels different—you can tell people here love this place.” That warmth and pride reflect the work of Irene and the Facilities team, whose impact may not always be visible, but is deeply felt.
This June, Irene was recognized with the 30-Year Long Service Award—an honor that celebrates not only her longevity, but also showcasing the dedication she has shown to the University throughout the years.
To me, Irene has been more than a colleague—she has been my partner, my comrade, a constant through decades of change and growth. While her absence will be deeply felt, we celebrate her remarkable achievements and wish her joy and fulfilment in the exciting chapter ahead.
Thank you, Irene, for your unwavering commitment, quiet strength, and for helping build a Library we are all proud to call our own.
Clara Kwan
Head (Administrative Services)
HKUST Library
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