One of our Library staff colleagues has some skill in repairing books.  Others asked them to host a workshop so more staff could learn these skills.  They used a variety of tools and techniques to show how to fix different problems with worn or damaged books.  Despite the Library's collections moving more and more towards electronic resources, many of us still enjoy the look, feel, or smell of physical materials. The Story below provides tips on how to repair damaged books and explains when it's appropriate to buy a new one instead of trying to repair it. 1.      牛油紙 2.      膠片板 3.      針筆 4.      竹籤 5.      Acid free 無色無味膠漿 6.      Acid free 膠紙 … 感謝一直做紙本書修復的同事, 願意不收學費地給Resources Management (RM)組員一節修復紙本書的展示。 所有 RM 組員, 包括80後及90後的都出席了。 在短短一小時的示範當中, 我感受到紙本書修復員對書本的熱愛。 示範中不停重複的話: ”書本那裏受傷的” ”要如何驗傷" "不同的受傷有不同的處理" 再看他小心翼翼地用各種手法去處理書本上的傷口。 在 electronic version preferred 的年代 圖書館增買紙本書越來越少。 內容過時的舊書又會從館藏中淘汰 … 圖書館職員仍決定將這些手藝傳承下去。 示範的時候有組員提問: 如果有一頁被撕去一半 該如何修? 從管理角度, 正確的答案是: 如能買得到及價格合宜, 直接買一本新的, 如非必要, 不應該花人力物力去修復。 但…總會遇到必要修復的情況, 比如教授需要的書已經絕版, 非得買來有“傷口”的二手書, 又有書會附加一張勘誤表, 不粘好就會與書失聯等。 示範黏上失落書頁時, 修復員用心地叮囑, 先要把牛油紙小心安放, 再塗無色無味膠漿在頁邊及書脊, 牛油紙的作用是保護書本內頁, 避免膠漿塗在書脊傷口以外的地方。 並囑咐膠漿乾掉之後, 要輕輕的把牛油紙撕去, 如不能盡撕, 則寧願把牛油紙邊懸留下, 以免把傷口又再撕開。 無酸性膠紙則可以用在小破口 …   大家可會在圖書館翻看舊書的時候, 尋找一下這些修復的痕跡?         Patti LaiLibrarian (Resource Management)lbpatti@ust.hk

Summer induces the vibrancy of awareness. While we are gazing at the fiery blue sky, in the next breath, our faces are already dotted with raindrops from the gloom of dark clouds. There is nothing more absurd than that – uncontrollable, ever-changing, bizarre randomness. Absurdity is what you try to understand, yet far beyond your understanding. “The right understanding of any matter and a misunderstanding of the same matter do not wholly exclude each other.” In the summer of 1914, Franz Kafka began to write The Trial, yet left the ending of the story incomplete and unknown before his death. The trial of Josef K. never ends. Absurdity. Summer is associated with Kafka. On June 3, 1924, Kafka died in a sanatorium in Austria, just one month before his 41st birthday.

Sunrise, the start of a new day, usually symbolizes a fresh start, rising hope or a new beginning. However, for HKUST students who spend the whole night studying or working on assignments in the Learning Commons, witnessing the sunrise signifies a sleepless night or the looming deadline they are racing against.As a former HKUST student, the LC was also my haunt during the 4-year study. I also experienced late-night battles in the LC. This picture, taken in 2016, just a few hours before an exam, serves as a reminder of those intense moments.Now, being a library staff managing the LC, I still feel a strong connection with students burning the midnight oil to meet deadlines. Wish you all the best luck in your exams but don’t overburden yourself with too much overnight work!June ORAccess Serviceslbjune@ust.hk  

It is humbling to know that Library staff work here for so many years. On April 18, 2024, we gathered to honor our esteemed colleagues who have dedicated an impressive three decades of service to the University, or more – including seven staff from the Library. From left to right: Lin, Rose, Fiona, Irene Hui, Angie, Lina, and Clara. These colleagues emerged as the pioneers of our Library, embarking on our journey soon after our doors first opened in 1991. Whether assisting patrons at the Circulation counter, sourcing and processing books to enrich our shelves at the back office, managing our Special Collections in the University Archives, or overseeing our furnishings and equipment as part of the Facilities team, their influence has been felt across every corner of our Library's operations. Ms Clara Kwan Miss Lina L N Cheung Ms Angie Y S Chung Ms Irene S F Hui Mr Loi Tim Lin Ms Fiona W H Ma Ms Rose M K Tang Please join us in offering  sincere congratulations and profound appreciation to these award recipients. Their unwavering commitment has built up an environment of warmth, knowledge, and belonging for everyone who came into the Library. Clara Kwan Head (Administrative Services) lbclara@ust.hk  

By moving the 3D Printing Service into the Learning Commons on LG1, we have freed up the old room to serve as a second IC Learning Space on the ground floor. Basically, we now have two IC Learning Spaces opposite Lift A on the ground floor – The existing Space has been in heavy use for a long time, and has a much larger and interactive screen. IC Learning Space B is on the other side of the shared glass wall, with a smaller regular monitor and some repurposed furniture. Both Spaces are optimised for larger meetings, seminars, and teaching. So they can be reserved by Faculty, Staff, and Postgraduate (PG) Students. The big question is whether having groups in both Spaces will work – will the glass wall be enough to prevent the two groups from bothering each other? If having both Spaces does work, we will plan to upgrade the equipment and furniture in Space B.   So let us know what you think - good or bad!  library@ust.hk Edward Spodick Associate Director of Library Services lbspodic@ust.hk