As HKUST celebrates its 35th anniversary, the Library reflects on a story that began alongside the founding of our University. It is a story of innovation, partnership, enduring care, and the quiet dedication that has supported our academic mission for over three decades.

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

Yesterday we changed all the furniture in the study pods – except for the orange high chairs in the solo pods. We work hard to get you the best furniture available – and we were not satisfied with the defaults provided by the vendor. The new seats in the duo and quad pods have improved upholstery cushions and nicer fabric – and we moved from 2 tones of grey to a green-grey combo. All the tables were also replaced, with unneeded holes removed and a better study surface which should show fewer marks from your laptops. I hope you like them – and feel free to let me know if you have suggestions for other improvements! Edward Spodick Associate Director of Library Services lbspodic@ust.hk

In September, we asked you to suggest a Chinese label for the new study pods on LG1 – and we received 128 responses. After much deliberation, Library Administration team decided to label the study pods 研習亭, taking into consideration the nature (space for research & study), intended use (for individual and group), and shape of the pods. Among our suggested labels (自修亭/艙, 研習艙, 學習艙, 智能會議艙), the most popular choice was 自修艙 (33 votes), followed by 自修亭 (19 votes). We are amazed by your creativity and would like to share some of your witty suggestions below. 自修「停」唔「老黎」 🤔；「艙」又會聯想到暗瘡的「瘡」😖，如「壓力瘡」。所以我建議用「自修小屋」🏠，比「自修室」多一種溫馨的感覺，而且「屋」給人安全感 🥰，亦可令人好奇 「小屋」在哪。 小智囊（大智若愚，小智若囊hhh）🤗 自閉艙 / 自闭小桌 / 自闭亭 / 自修太空艙 孤方讀想 / 獨讀艙 😝 摺拉 /摺拉把 🤣 学习胶囊 / 灵感胶囊 💊 創思亭 / 巧思亭 研討間 / 隔音研習艙 学习豆子 🫒 讀書蛋🥚 專注間 渡学舱 靜習小屋 盤思洞 博站 溫習方艙 師仁空間👍 鴻鵠亭 🦢 Thank you to all who responded, 6 winners were drawn from the lucky draw to win a Library mug. Eunice Wong Learning Support Manager lbeunice@ust.hk  

Sadly, one of the Napping Pods is now out of service. Someone apparently decided to see how it worked, and disconnected the power and data cables and caused some damage. The manufacturer is sending technicians to repair the Pod – for safety reasons they recommend that no one use it until it has been repaired. PLEASE be considerate of others – we are very disappointed that someone did this, causing problems for others. Edward Spodick Associate Director of Library Services lbspodic@ust.hk

While you were gone, we moved all the microforms down to LG4 and repurposed that space on LG1 for student study. Please welcome the new Study Pods - they're orange, and we're loving them! Nine pods have been installed, meeting different needs: 3 Solo Pods - 1-person pods for quiet study, online interviews, remote class attendance, and whatever else you might need them for 4 Duo Pods - 2-person pods for working with your project partner 2 Quad Pods - 4-person pods offering quiet space for small groups to work Remember - when you only need a place for online programs, use a small pod instead of a larger group study room - always be considerate of other students! All pods can be reserved using the Library's Room Booking System, just like study rooms. Every pod comes with seating, work surface, good lighting and ventilation, power/USB sockets, and a fair amount of quiet. Edward Spodick Associate Director of Library Services lbspodic@ust.hk