Stories from the Library – what's new and what's happening
Meet the Team behind the Library’s Systems and Digital Services! Franky, Joey, Adrian, Andrew, Leo, Sam, Terry, Martin, and Holly. Among many other things, they manage over 55 computer servers with well over 70 individual applications β from simple things like LDAP identity lookup to complex beasts like our Room Booking System. Most of…
The Exploration Lab portion of the maps exhibition closed on schedule, and the room has now been converted back into our Deep Quiet Room. Remember β no talking in this room, and we ask that if you need to use a keyboard you even try to type quietly. π So if you need more…
We all depend on each other to maintain a good study environment, which means no voice or video calls in open public areas. But, what to do when you want or need to make a call? The Library has several phone-friendly spots, indoors and outdoors. This is the first of two posts on Library Spots…
This winter, dive into some of the finest Korean and Japanese films our Library! Experience the gripping suspense of thrillers like Parasite alongside the influential classic Rashomon, a landmark film of the 20th century. If you prefer animation, enjoy the enchanting stories of Japanese favourites such as Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops Winged…
When was the last time you read a book? Flipping through pages, tapping on an e-reader, or scrolling on your phone, you are immersed in a dimension of personal thoughts and sentiments, unconsciously forging a connection to the other or the collective. French literary theorist Roland Barthes (1915 – 1980) introduced the concept of The…
Today, December 16, 2025, marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth (1775β1817). Despite her short life, Austen produced six novels that have become cornerstones of English literature: Sense and Sensibility (1811), Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), Emma (1815), Northanger Abbey (1817), and Persuasion (1817). With sharp irony and keen psychological insight, her…
In cooperation with several University departments, the Library has taken action to ensure your safety in the Learning Commons. Some of these may cause you inconvenience. Please be understanding and cooperate with our efforts, and with instructions from Library and Security staff. Thank you! Social Distancing About ΒΎ of the chairs have been…
Old maps are visually beautiful; and they carry a lot of interesting stories. The Library hosted a 3-day research symposium last December with map historians from local and overseas institutions. One really memorable talk in the symposium was about this famous Chinese map dated 1644, the year the Ming Empire collapsed: <倩δΈδΉιειδΊΊθ·‘θ·―η¨ε ¨ε> (A comprehensive map…
The tables on LG4 at the bottom of the void – the ones with lights on them – have been modified. The lights are now under your control, instead of being managed from the central switch box. Each of those tables now has a light switch – so if you need a bit of extra…
Did you know this is one of the most glamorous items in our Special Collections? Known as ε€θΌΏθ¬εε ¨ε, in elegant classical Chinese, literally meaning Map of the Ten Thousand Countries of the Earth, it also has a nickname in English β Ricci Map. Why Ricci in English? Why does this map, titled in Chinese, carry…
