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 have probably already seen the new carrels on LG4.  We went with a colourful mix in a 'hexagon' or honeycomb arrangement.  We changed the carpet too, giving a more engaging and dramatic visual effect. Why this change?  Previously, that area held several large reading tables and a collection of sofas.  For the past couple of years we have been receiving complaints about noise travelling from there to higher floors, especially LG3 and G/F.  And the recent LibQUAL user survey showed a strong student demand for more individual study carrels.  And the sofas were really being underutilised, and sometimes used for sleeping instead of studying. So we killed two birds with one stone, as the western saying goes. Groups of students discussing were switched to individual study options meeting user demands for quiet individual study space.

I am thrilled to share my experience about my first project in the library: the Library Material Pickup Station. It feels like a significant milestone in my career. As an alumnus of HKUST, it feels surreal to be back as a worker in the library, which I once relied on so much. When I first joined the library, I felt both familiar and strange. Stepping in as a staff member was a different experience, diving into a new role made the familiar feel almost foreign. After 3 months of training, I got to know the library’s operations and was finally assigned to a project to implement the Library Material Pickup Station. Taking on this responsibility has been quite exhilarating. Throughout the project, my colleagues and I brainstormed many ideas and planned out every detail to ensure the Library Material Pickup Station runs smoothly. The most memorable moment during this project was when we discovered an issue with the default settings of the station. If users had even 1 dollar in overdue fines, they were not allowed to pick up any books from the station.

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.

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.