Can you imagine maintaining your passion for your work for three decades? We at the Library are excited to celebrate Margaret, who recently received the Long Service Award from the university for her remarkable 30 years of service at HKUST. As an officer in our Resource Management section, Margaret has played a crucial role in managing collection resources. This team is responsible for acquiring materials, maintaining access to e-resources, and ensuring our catalog remains updated and user-friendly. Throughout her time at HKUST, Margaret has navigated significant changes in the library landscape. Thirty years ago, most library materials were in print form, and computing technology were very different. Although she has remained with the same team, she has embraced each new change and challenge with eagerness to learn. “If there’s nothing new for me to learn, I go out and search for it,” she says, exemplifying the spirit of lifelong learning that enriches our library community. Margaret began her career in the cataloging team within Resource Management, where her attention to detail proved invaluable. The team creates metadata that adheres to international cataloging standards, ensuring that you can easily find the resources you need while allowing HKUST’s bibliographic records to be utilized by libraries worldwide.

As a Hongkonger, I like to browse information about Hong Kong’s past through various media. When I look at posts and photos of Hong Kong’s past, I have an opportunity to see things that remind me of my childhood, which makes me feel excited. In our library, there are many books and periodicals that discuss Hong Kong’s past. Some of them are pictorial works with illustrations of old Hong Kong. They are “Popular books” that enable users to explore Hong Kong’s history through a relaxing journey.

This summer, we are thrilled to present a collection of 100 iconic Hong Kong films, each offering stunning visuals and captivating stories. For crime dramas enthusiasts, the Infernal Affairs I , II, III; (無間道I, II, III 終極無間) directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak is a must-see. Wong Kar-wai’s masterpieces, In the Mood for Love (花樣年華) and Chungking Express (重慶森林), highlight his distinctive artistic vision. Stephen Chow’s beloved comedies, such as Shaolin Soccer (少林足球), A Chinese Odyssey part I and II (西遊記第壹佰零壹回之月光寶盒 及 西遊記大結局之仙履奇緣), showcase the playful humour that defines late 20th-century Hong Kong cinema. Recent films like 29 1, Tomorrow Is Another Day (黃金花), Tracey (翠絲), and Still Human (淪落人) explore various social themes and resonate deeply with audiences. This collection offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy diverse Hong Kong cinema during your term break. If you need a DVD drive, feel free to borrow one from the G/F Service Counter or LG1 Tech Item Kiosk. Don’t miss out on the excitement of Hong Kong films this summer! Vanessa Yu Officer (Collection Development) lbvanessa@ust.hk

On 12 May, the Library hosted a vibrant exhibition opening that drew in art lovers. In a heartwarming show of support, friends of Dr Sze Chi Ching sent in 90 beautiful flower baskets, creating a stunning display outside the Library. While the flowers added charm to the event, the Library team saw an opportunity to extend their beauty and their purpose. Rather than letting the blooms go to waste, the Library reached out to the Sustainability/Net-Zero Office the next day with an idea: invite the campus community to take home the flowers and recycle the wooden frames. The Sustainability/Net-Zero Office enthusiastically supported the initiative and helped spread the word within 3 hours. The Campus Management Office also played a key role by sending the housekeeping team and cleaners to help tidy up the space, ensuring everything was neat and welcoming for the community. The response was overwhelming. Students, staff, and faculty came together to give the flowers a second life, brightening homes and offices across campus. It was a joyful moment of sharing, sustainability, and community spirit. This simple yet impactful gesture not only reduced waste but also reminded everyone that small actions can make a big difference.

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.