Stories from the Library – what's new and what's happening
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…
The Spring term exam period is approaching. Are you considering printing all your notes for revision again? Hold on! Let’s reconsider this after reviewing our collective printing habits from the Fall term exam period. Quick Guess: how much paper is printed during exam period? The Library received the Printers Usage Summary from ITSO for last…
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…
I really remember watching the first Harry Potter film (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) with my schoolmates in the classroom during primary school. After the movie, I was extremely amazed and thrilled as Harry Potter introduced me to a magical Wizarding World that I had never imagined. This experience sparked my lasting passion for…
As a SciTech Librarian, I cannot predict earthquakes. However, the recent claim of a major earthquake set to strike Japan on July 5, 2025, offers an opportunity to discuss how we evaluate such predictions using the concept that “Authority Is Constructed and Contextual.” The Origin of the Prediction This prediction originates from the 1999 manga…
The Library’s New Access Policy Ever since the Library opened its doors in 1991, HKUST has been proud of the Library’s “Open Access” policy. We are the only UGC-funded academic library keeping our doors open. However new situations require us to review our physical access practice. Our user population has increased. The number of users…
Another good read (author I’m fond of) is Marge Piercy. Like Ursula LeGuin, she also writes both poetry and prose. I came to her poetry, after enjoying her novels. Most of her novels are set in the contemporary world when they were published, such as, Small Changes, but some in the historic past, like Gone…
Since opening in March 2024, Library LG5 space has become one of the favorite spots for students. Starting this September, the space will serve dual purposes: as a classroom and study space. To balance the two different needs, it will be a classroom during the day until 3 PM, and then open for study after…
Summer induces the vibrancy of awareness. While we are gazing at the fiery blue sky, in the next breath, our faces are already dotted with raindrops from the gloom of dark clouds. There is nothing more absurd than that – uncontrollable, ever-changing, bizarre randomness. Absurdity is what you try to understand, yet far beyond your…
Did you know that the little hill beside the North Gate bus stop has a name? It is called the Fung Shui Ridge! Do you know what its name, “Fung Shui”, means? Fung Shui (風水) is the traditional Chinese practice of arranging buildings and spaces. Even thousands of years ago, people understood the importance of…
