HKUST Publications and Newsletters
The University Archives introduces a new one-stop portal (http://lbcone.ust.hk/hkustpub/) for HKUST’s publications and newsletters. You can find here the current issue of HKUST Newsletter as well as the debut issues dating back to 1988, the program of the first congregation in 1993 and much more.
This database includes university publications such as Corporate Booklet and Annual Report plus newsletters issued by various departments and offices. The printed issues are scanned and converted to searchable full text PDF files. In recent years, many newsletters are published online. Besides those found at the University Publications website (http://www.ust.hk/about-hkust/publications-multimedia/), other online newsletters are scattered across departmental websites.
The University Archives visits these sites periodically and saves a copy for preservation. Now, via this portal, you can browse all these current or old, printed or “born digital” publications – browsing by issuing department or searching the entire collection by keywords. Try to search for “sundial” or “time capsule” – you will find some interesting stories which you might not have heard about before.
This is a rich source of information about the University, schools and departments. The newsletters also share with us teaching and learning experience, as well as student and alumni activities. Whether you are searching for current information about the University or want to walk down memory lane by looking at publications from HKUST’s early days, this database is worth a visit.
E-Resources Usage Trends
In the pre-digital era, libraries looked at the check-out rate of print books to assess how well collections were being used. These days, when electronic resources constitute the bulk of a library’s collection, libraries are also collecting COUNTER statistics to measure the usage of electronic resources. COUNTER is an acronym for Counting Online Usage of Networked Electronic Resources. Vendors who are COUNTER compliant keep track of online usage of their products according to a set of international standards and protocols, so that usage data can be consistently compared across time and platforms.
The table below shows COUNTER usage of the Library’s electronic resources for the past three years. The numbers are climbing relentlessly year after year. E-journal usage had an upward surge of 36% in 2010 and the volume remained more or less the same in the following year. 2010 also saw a sharp ascent in ebook usage (up 38%); the rate further jumped 11% in 2011.
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | |
| Ejournal (no. of full-text downloads) | 894,700 | 1,219,700 | 1,236,500 |
| Ebook (no. of chapter downloads) | 144,200 | 198,500 | 219,900 |
Zooming in on just 2011, the top used ejournal packages in descending order are ScienceDirect, American Chemical Society journals and Wiley Online Library, followed closely by IEEE Xplore, Nature journals and ProQuest. ScienceDirectalone accounts for 30% of the total no. of downloads.
As for ebooks, the top 3 most used platforms are: MyiLibrary, SpringerLink and Ebrary.
With 334 in place and an enlarged student population, the Library is keen to analyse the figures and winners for 2012.
Information Literacy Test
In early September, the Library administered the Madison Assessment Information Literacy Test. It’s the second time we held the test to collect data on freshmen’s information literacy level. Developed at the James Madison University in United States, the test consists of 60 multiple choice questions and is designed based on the ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education.
In collaboration with CELT, we emailed to invite around 1,000 students and 326 participated in this web-based computerized test. Seventeen test sessions are held at E-Learning Classroom A in the Learning Commons during 8-14 September.
This study is highly important for planning future directions on information literacy education in the University and the test data we collected from the Madison Assessment will be further analyzed by the Library and CELT.
We also plan to invite the participants to take the test again when they pursue final year study so we can have a full picture of their improvement on information literacy during their university education.
New Initiatives of DSS
Working in Document Supply Service (DSS), we keep asking ourselves how we could make materials more easily available to users. Several new ideas came up during a meeting this summer; two of them have already been turned into actions.
Although our electronic collections are growing fast, print and microform books and journals are still being used frequently. To make access to these “non-digital” materials more convenient, the Library will scan and deliver articles in hard copy upon request from faculty and staff. Starting from October, postgraduates may also use this service. Users can make requests via the HKUST ILLiad system http://illiad.ust.hk/ and documents are usually delivered within one working day. More information is available at http://library.hkust.edu.hk/services/borrowing/document-delivery/.
Another change that came into effect on 1 October was the new overseas ILL fee for photocopies being lowered from HK$60 to HK$30 per article.
DSS will continue to work on the other new ideas, transforming them into services that can bring benefits to our faculty, staff and students.
Collection Spotlight
North China Herald Online
Published in Shanghai between 1850 to 1940, this English language newspaper is a treasure trove for scholars researching modern Chinese history. The Herald had correspondents across China, supplying a steady stream of content of incredible variety. Apart from news reflecting the social, cultural and political life of the foreign settlements; the Herald also gave trade statistics, stock prices, essays on Chinese culture and language, law reports from foreign courts in the settlements, company reports, maps, cartoons, photographs, and lots more.
The Library previously had this important primary resource on microfilm. Now the online edition has arrived. Users can freely search and browse the archive and uncover valuable snapshots of China in the so-called “treaty century”.
National Geographic Archive
Many of us grew up with the National Geographic magazine. It is famous for its high-quality photojournalism and excellent map-making; and for providing unparalleled, in-depth coverage of cultures, nature, science, technology and the environment. The online archive provides complete coverage of this renowned magazine from 1888-1994. All text, photos and maps are faithfully reproduced with searching and browsing functions.
Learning Activities at the Learning Commons in Fall 2012
The Learning Commons continues to be a hectic place buzzing with activities.
In this semester you can find tutorials through a number of programs:
- Math Support Center in E-Learning Classroom A is held Monday through Friday. Professors and teaching assistants from the Department of Mathematics offer learning help with the online homework system WeBWorK.
- CSE Programming Commons is a service offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. First year students who take introductory computing courses can seek help from teaching assistants at the Tutorial Spaces on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 4pm to 6pm.
- SBM Junior Tutor Program is offered by School of Business and Management for 4 undergraduate courses. For details, check the SBM website at http://undergrad.bm.ust.hk/eng/academics/advising/tutor/
Apart from help on learning, you can also find career advising at the Learning Commons:
- Career Center offers various workshops and consultations in Group Study Rooms, including mock interviews, CV drop-in sessions, CV writing, Career meet-up, and others.
- SBM UG Programs Office organizes Individual Career Advising for undergraduates, who can make one-on-one appointments to meet advisers at LC-07 at specific times, Monday to Friday.
- SENG operates a Career Development Program for MSc students at LC-09 with multiple sessions throughout the semester.
Highlights of other activities and classes at the Learning Commons include:
- Academic Advising, School of Science and School of Engineering
- Tea with the President, a monthly event at the Refreshment Zone
- Media workshops by PTC
- Library classes of various sorts
- RedBird program activity, by SAO
- Lunch meeting with the MA students in China Studies, by School of Humanities and Social Sciences
- “Meeting with Artists” Series: “The Invisible Hand – The Art of Film Editing”, by UCEO
- HART 1012- Introduction to Photography
- iOS Workshops, a CPEG program
November BookTalk
What do you think London 
represents? Or, what do you think represents London? «英倫話語» published earlier this year, paints a picture of the city unlike an ordinary guidebook. The author, Miss Bonnie Chen, put together memories of her life as a student when she pursued a master degree at the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2009-10. She took an unconventional perspective to the city’s rich culture and history. For the BookTalk, she will share her tips on how to explore London beyond the popular tourist icons.
Miss Chen is an experienced journalist who covers local politics and business news for both Chinese and English media. She is currently the Business News Editor of The Standard.
Come to the BookTalk: London – beyond fish n’ chips and Big Ben – November 23rd (Friday), 2-3pm in the Library Gallery. The talk will be in English.
Ceramic Exhibition Opens to Wide Acclaim
“So-lan’s Totem” – an Exhibition featuring over 270 art pieces by the 
acclaimed local artist – was opened on 18 October in the Library Gallery. Dr David Mole, Associate Provost (Teaching & Learning) was invited to officiate at the Ceremony, together with Ms Diana Chan, University Librarian and Ms So-lan Chiu, the ceramic artist. After delivering the opening remarks, the officiating guests cut the ribbon to officially open the Exhibition.
Following the ceremony was a Gallery Tour led by the artist. Participants were greatly amazed by the stunning works on display, praising enthusiastically the artistic skills and creativity of the talented artist.
The Exhibition runs until 18 November. If 
you would like to buy any of the ceramic works or learn more about the Exhibition, visit http://library.hkust.edu.hk/exhibitions/chiu-2012/.
“Art Dimensions” Invites You to Interact with Student Artists
Beginning this semester, the Library has been 
showcasing the vibrant works of students in the Chinese Calligraphy and Pinhole Camera classes offered by the Undergraduate Core Education Team of the Provost Office.
This is the first student exhibition of “Art Dimensions 薈藝空間” – a new Library initiative to promote student art on campus.
To do away with passive appreciation of art, “Art Dimensions” incorporates the Library’s new home-grown online Interactive Exhibition System, allowing viewers to interact with the authors of the artworks. Viewers are able to rate, vote and comment on the pieces; with the authors able to respond to remarks made. This System helps connect the artists with the audience through new communication media.
Do stop by the Learning Commons to appreciate the artistic talents of our students. You can also view these art pieces on the Library Web site (http://library.hkust.edu.hk/about-us/user-engagement/art-dimensions/) where you can give your encouragement to our student artists.
We welcome all University units to work with us to foster art appreciation and education through “Art Dimensions”. For more information, contact Alice Ho at lbalice@ust.hk.
Facility & Service Updates
Improved Learning Commons Access Control
With the overnight operation of the Learning Commons, new entry gates were installed. The new gates make it much easier to maintain reasonable security and access control – for all hours after the Library closes, the Learning Commons will enter its “Card Access Period” when a valid HKUST ID card will be required for entry.
Presidential Meetings in Refreshment Zone
The Refreshment Zone in the Learning Commons has proved quite popular – so much so that the President has been holding monthly student tea receptions there.
Videoconferencing Capability
By the time you read this, the Library will have acquired a mobile Videoconferencing system which can be used in several different rooms in the Library and Learning Commons. If you have a need for videoconferencing, or you just want to learn about this new service, please contact Learning Commons staff or e-mail lbcommons@ust.hk
Library Usage – Space and Seats
As expected, the new year has brought a big increase in the number of people studying in the Library. Much of this increase can be attributed to the double cohort with the start of 3-3-4, but the actual usage is much higher than the ~20% increase in actual student numbers. Fortunately, this was not unexpected, and overall Library study seating has increased over 40% in the past few years.
Comparing exit counts an hour before closing for the first month of classes, usage this year is 43% higher than in 2011. And if we count the closing hour and include exits during the extended Learning Commons hours, that number jumps to almost 55%!
Much of the ‘extra’ increase may be because the new students are undergraduates – traditionally the heaviest users of Library facilities. The overwhelmingly positive reaction to the new Learning Commons has also attracted strong numbers of PG students, and quite a few faculty and staff.
In response, the Learning Commons is now open until 6:00am every night of the week during term! That means you can use the Commons for up to 22 hours per day, and almost as much on the weekends.
By the end of the first week of these extended hours, well over 100 students were studying past 2am, and up to 50 kept going until 6am – and that was on a Wednesday. It will be interesting to see how these figures swell during exams!
last modified 09 December 2016