We all depend on each other to maintain a good study environment, which means no voice or video calls in open public areas.  But, what to do when you want or need to make a call? The Library has several phone-friendly spots, indoors and outdoors.   This is the first of two posts on Library Spots for Voice & Video Calls. Comfortable & Close to G/F Entry The Modelling Space This room is designated for 3-D printing and scanning, but it's also a good place to make a voice or video call.  Just go in and shut the door! :) Location: G/F , near the entry (floor plan) Pro: Convenient on entering via G/F, or if you're studying close to there. Chairs and tables available. Electrical outlets available. Con: Inconvenient if you're not nearby. If someone is scanning, no privacy. If a print job is running, there may be ambient noise. Overall: A quick and convenient place for a call Indoors, Bright and Comfortable The Foyer to the G/F Garden Location: Back of G/F near Lift C Pro:  Bright & has some views.

The Exploration Lab portion of the maps exhibition closed on schedule, and the room has now been converted back into our Deep Quiet Room. Remember – no talking in this room, and we ask that if you need to use a keyboard you even try to type quietly. :-)   So if you need more quiet space, come here on the first floor, or go to the Quiet Floor on LG3.   Edward Spodick Associate Director of Library Services lbspodic@ust.hk  

I love bi-lingual puns! Today at the Idea Corner, I saw this witty commentary on yesterday's weather. This is a play on the Cantonese name for HKUST: 香港科技大學 香[heung1]港[gong2]科[fo1]技[gei6]大[daai6]學[hok6] 科[fo1]技[gei6] =  sounds like Foggy It made me chuckle. Today, it's still a bit foggy, but beautiful. Let's embrace the name :)                 Victoria Caplan Head (Research & Learning Support) lbcaplan@ust.hk      

Lots of people assume that if you're a librarian, or work in a library you must love to read. It's a stereotype and in my case a true one. :)  I like to read and recommend stories, books, poems, plays and all sorts of things to others.This post is the first in what I hope will be a series on good reads. Ursula K. Le Guin (1929-2018) was an American novelist, essayist, poet and short-story writer. She first became well-known for her Wizard of Earthsea fantasy series, aimed at the young, but enjoyed  by people of all ages.   Her main genre was science fiction, but she also  wrote fantasy, poetry, essays, and fiction set in the "real world" .   One of the things I like about her books is how they explore human relations and societies in what to the reader are very unusual situations.   To get a start with her work, let me recommend two nice ones that are short and easy entries into her writing. The Lathe of Heaven ( PS3562.E42 L3 2003).  This short novel, first published in 1971 is set in a future Portland Oregon, beset by the problems of global warming and over-population. The main character, George Orr, has a problem: his dreams change reality in the waking world.   If I tell you more, I'll be guilty of "spoiling". But I can say that the situation is fascinating and the writing is simple, yet poetic.

We are always looking for ways to enhance student study space, and sometimes we even manage to create more by repurposing space used by Library staff. So last term we were able to convert an office into another group study room – it's room 1-350 on 1/F This bookable study room can hold about 8 people, and has the usual table, white board, and large screen TV. I am looking at how to convert more staff spaces into study rooms for you in the future – wish me luck! Edward Spodick Associate Director of Library Services lbspodic@ust.hk