This past November, you may have noticed some curious posters inside lifts or beside notice boards, inviting you to “discover a library hidden gem.” These posters were part of a quiet, experimental campaign by the Library to explore two key questions: 1. Can we spark curiosity about lesser-known Library services through storytelling? 2. Which physical spaces are most effective for prompting interaction in a passive campaign?
The 24/7 Learning Commons has been a great space since it opened in 2012. But in the recent Library survey you complained that it had no individual study options. We listened, and acted. Individual study carrels are now available 24/7 in the Learning Commons! These colorful carrels are built with sound-absorbent fabric panels, wooden study surfaces, and regular and USB power sockets. I hope you enjoy using them as much as I enjoyed buying them :-) And for those wondering where the previous tables went – we moved them up to the ground floor, replacing some book shelves which were no longer needed. Edward Spodick Associate University Librarian lbspodic@ust.hk
We are excited to announce that the upgraded iMac stations are now ready for use in the Library starting 29 August 2025, just in time for the new semester! More Than Just New Machines.The new iMac stations deliver faster performance and enhanced security. To better accommodate diverse study preferences, we've refreshed the space with a balanced mix of iMac stations and open seating. Whether you prefer working on our new iMacs or your personal laptop, a comfortable study environment awaits you. Overcoming Delivery Delays Despite delays in delivery, our team didn’t wait around. We proactively rearranged preparation work before their arrival in late July to expedite the process. Our goal was to ensure the new iMac stations would be ready before the semester began. Technical Challenge During setup, we encountered a challenge connecting the new iMacs to the HKUST domain to allow HKUST account login. To protect your privacy, we adopted an alternative solution using reborn software, which wipes all changes upon reboot and provides a secure and consistent user experience. A Team Effort Worth Applauding. Special thanks to the Systems Support Team colleagues for their efforts in deploying the new iMac stations. Their work went beyond installation—they managed iMac registration, software deployment, and thoroughly tested existing network cables to guarantee stable and reliable connectivity for all users. Visit Us in E-Learning Classroom A, LG1 The new iMac stations are located in E-Learning Classroom A, LG1. Please drop by and experience the upgrade firsthand. If you need help, our library staff are always ready to assist.Happy studying!
You may notice that starting from May 6, 2025, a little owl-like icon appears on our Library homepage. This is our new HKUST Library Chatbot (beta)! It is now on a two-month pilot program until the end of June. Developed through our DS CoLab initiative—where students team up with the Library staff to explore digital tools and AI applications—the chatbot uses ChatGPT technology to answer your general questions about library services.
Have you noticed that starting Feb 10, 2025, a new dashboard appears on the library homepage? There, you can see the number of people currently in the Library, and the real-time booking situation of study rooms and study pods.
Recently, we conducted a poll of potential monitors on the G/F to see which model you preferred. The Battle: October 28th – November 5th, 2024 On one side, a 34-inch curved monitor; on the other, a 32-inch 4K flat monitor. Both offer larger screen size, higher resolution, and USB-C connectivity. But which shape would dominate? Library users voted for their favorite monitor model using colorful stickers. After a few days, a clear preference began to emerge. AI Assisted Vote Tallying Visually, we could see there was a preference for curved monitors, but what were the exact numbers? It would have been tedious to count them individually. We turned to POE. The results: curved = 314; flat = 166.
