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!
Have you checked out the 9 awesome study pods on LG1 of the library? Installed in 2024, these study pods provide a welcoming and quiet space with seating, work surfaces, good lighting and ventilation, as well as power/USB sockets to keep your devices juiced up. We've noticed that users often study in the dark, and sometimes they keep the door open ajar to let air flow. They might not be aware that they can turn on the light and the ventilation function while using the study pods. To protect your eyesight and stay cool and comfortable while studying, let's make sure to turn on the lights and ventilation so that you can focus on your studies without any distractions. It's super easy to find the switch in the Duo Pods and Quad Pods. For the Solo Pods, here's a little challenge: the switch is hiding under the table! Some people may think the fan is a bit noisy... but it really helps to keep the air fresh. Let’s prioritize your eye health and create a comfortable and efficient study environment.
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!
When you use study carrels in the Library, you might have experienced this situation: you leave the seat but use your belongings to keep it occupied; when you return, someone else take your seat, and you see a notice to claim your stuff at the G/F Service Counter. How did that happen? Yes, library staff takes regular actions to reduce "seat hogging". We conduct "in-depth patrol" to clear study carrels and make them available for library users. How does "in-depth patrol" work? When we see a carrel occupied by unattended belongings, we leave a paper slip noting the time. After 30 minutes, if the belongings are still there, we would put them on the side so that the seat is available for another user. Valuables will be sent to G/F Service Counter for keeping your belongings secured. In this Fall term, we did such patrol between 26 September and 1 November; and we cleared a total of 316 carrels, averaging 12.6 carrels per day. That is a 43% increase from last year!
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.
We have received feedback about loud chatter and gaming, especially in the Learning Commons. To maintain a serene study space, we have increased patrols and added signage to remind everyone of our Library etiquette. Let’s work together to create a positive study environment for all! Keep Voices Low Remember, the Library is for studying, not socializing. Your respect helps everyone succeed! Enjoy Snacks in the Refreshment Zone Please eat only in designated area to keep our study spaces clean. Don’t Occupy Seats with Personal Items Use lockers for your belongings so everyone can find a seat. Together, we can enhance our learning environment! Thank you for your cooperation! ✨ We welcome your suggestions on improving the study space.
I am excited to introduce the latest innovation in the HKUST Library: a heatmap that shows the temperature across various areas of the library. Imagine this: you are looking for a quiet corner to dive into your studies, but you want to avoid areas that might be too cold or too warm. With our temperature heatmap, you can easily see which parts of the library are more comfortable for you. This project was developed by our student helper, Jessie Lou (Year 3, BSc in Data Science and Technology) in the 2023/24 summer semester. We are grateful for her contributions! The library listened to users' feedback that we collected from LibQUAL survey, about Library users’ concerns about the temperature. I am also glad to leverage technology to improve your library experience. We hope you find this new tool helpful. Please open the links below to try it and see the project details. Library Temperature Heatmap (Beta): https://lbapps.hkust.edu.hk/heatmap/index.html For more details, implementation method, and source code, please visit the Digital Scholarship DS CoLab website: https://library.hkust.edu.hk/ds/project/s001/ Terry Yip Librarian (Systems & Digital Services) lbterry@ust.hk
