String comparison is a key step in data pre-processing, but functions in Excel such as MATCH and VLOOKUP falter in fuzzy string matching. In this post, let’s explore how the Python library "FuzzyWuzzy" overcomes these limitations.

If you look, you often find wonders at the Library – big and small, indoors and outdoors. Admire this full moon captured on November 27 by my colleague Ada, Head of Resource Management.  It was taken from the Library Garden.  Doesn't it put us all in awe? I am entranced every time I see the Moon rise over the sea by our campus. At HKUST, you can find many spots that give you an open view facing east, such as the lookout at Atrium ("Mushroom Window") and the Fok Ying Tung Sports Center at Seafront. To me, my favourite spot is of course the Library Garden! When the weather is comfortable, like recent days, the Library Garden is a beautiful place to take a break from your study, to have some fresh air, to hang out with friends, or just to have some time alone with the view, daytime or night. And, don't forget, you can say "Hello" to George too! Ada took this poetic photo a little after 6pm.

Do you know there was a commemorative stamp of HKUST in 1989? I did not, until I saw it today in the Library! The stamp was presented in a first day cover of a set called "Hong Kong Building for the Future," issued on October 5th, 1989. Colored in gold and featuring the academic building, it portrays a budding campus aspiring to be a world-class university. Our University Archives curates a collection of artefacts to preserve the history of the university. Some of them are now being shown on the Library 1/F. Besides the first day cover, another exhibit I find fascinating is the original sketches of the graduation gowns. Thanks to archives colleagues who organize the display, we get to see these interesting items that inspire us to reflect on the growth of HKUST. By the way, "Hong Kong Building for the Future" was a set of 6 stamps. The other five were Cultural Centre, Eastern Harbour Crossing, Bank of China, Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Light Rail Transit.

In this week's post, we present a roundup of a diverse range of topics and events from the International Open Access Week held in October 2023.

We've got drinking and water fountains all over the Library.  And every one has both hot and cold water. But the hot water is not hot enough for my tea – I want really, really hot water! No problem – the "secret" hot water supply is on 1/F :-) Basically, all the water fountains except the one on 1F are too accessible to children to let the water be too hot, so they are all set to be around 60oC. The one on 1/F is higher, and set farther into the wall out of reach of small hands, so it is set for around 90oC. Of course, as soon as we rolled that out, a student complained that they tested the water with their finger and got burned – so now it has a warning sign.   We have not found a good place to do this in the Learning Commons yet, but at least you now know where to go for your heat when the main Library is open. Ahhhhh...... Edward Spodick Associate Director of Library Services lbspodic@ust.hk