Achievements

In 2018, the HKUST community’s e-book usage surged 23%, reaching 99 chapters per student FTE.

This increase in e-book chapter access reflects the Library’s efforts to continue to increase the e-book collection. July 2018 also marked the crossing point where the number of e-book titles (574,207) in HKUST’s collection topped its paper book collection (529,288).

In response to changing needs and resources, the Library did some successful re-alignment, streamlining operations in several departments.

• The Learning Commons and Media Resources units merged & streamlined counter services.
• The Department of Resource Management transformed the 2 functional teams (Acquisitions and Cataloging) into 2 process teams (a Monographs team and a Serials & Media team).
• The Library as a whole reduced staff from 93 to 89.

2017-18 saw an all time high of 9,313 attendees for the Library’s information literacy programs.

•  9,313 people attended 268 sessions of face-to-face instruction.
  • 56% of the attendees were UGs, 26% were RPGs, and 17% were TPGs. 
  • 65% of UG workshops were given in collaboration with the CLE classes.
• Blended & E-Learning
  • 123 Library guides – 179,789 views
  • 60 objects –  37,127 views

For the 4th year in a row, the Library received compliments from CTLQ on its 2017-18 Annual Report on Teaching and Learning. 

• “Commendable for making decisions based on data and external input.”
• “Exemplary action plans covering major areas of concerns identified through self-reflection and external input, demonstrating a commitment for service enhancement…”

The Library re-deployed 4 staff to form a new unit devoted to supporting HKUST’s researchers, and its overall research mission.  Notable among its efforts were:

• My Favorite Lectures @HKUST
• ResearchBridge blog
• Researchers Series  seminars and events

To improve the Library as an inspiring place for study, research, self-enrichment, and collaboration, we carried out different projects ranging from HVAC, to increasing study seats, and upgrading equipment. Highlights include:

• The Media Counter was replaced by new study furniture
• Replaced all iMacs in e-Learning Classroom A & Mic4me put in teaching venues.
• 2 new photocopiers for the G/F, along with new book scanners and a 3D scanner
• Old chairs were re-upholstered (sustainability!)
• Half of LG4 was upgraded with new Air Handling Unit.
• Impoved user safety by continuing the replacement of 4,500 8-pound ceiling tiles.

From the Shared Integrated Library System, library staff created two linked data Triplestores, HKUST Library Catalog and JULAC HKCAN, to allow better discovery with Knowledge Cards and identification of authors with Chinese names.

HKCAN has become a significant cataloging source of Chinese names world-wide. We led the final phase of HKCAN ravmp project and enabled it in the Alma Community zone for use by the cataloging community across the globe.

In 2018-19, the number of people who visited the Library, both physically and online increased.

• The exit gate counts increased 5.8% to 1,985,217
• Virtual visits increased by 7.8% to 3.2 million. 

This shows that HKUST community continues to visit and use the Library for studying, learning, and other  activities besides borrowing print books.

In 2018-19, the Library organized and hosted more than 50 talks, tours and workshops for the HKUST community. These included art exhibitions by HKUST students, staff, and professional artists, talks by HKUST authors, and well known non-HKUST people, and other educational and cultural enrichment activities.

• 11 Exhibitions, with associated talks and art demonstrations that 795 people joined
• 10 Library iTalks, with 680 participants

In 2018-19, the Library enhanced its use of games to increase user engagement and fun.

We updated the physical “Explore the Library” game and enhanced it to have online and VR versions. Library staff also partnered with students doing their Computer Science & Engineering Final Year Project to create a game called, OtherSide.

OtherSide is a single-player RPG .in which users can battle monsters with AR on their phones inside the Library, and learn about spaces and services as they do it.  It was among the 5 winners of  Best FYP for 2018-19 in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and among the 5 winners of Best FYP video for 2018-19 . The students handed the game over to the Library for further development and use.

In fall 2018, the Library launched a training project for our staff to explore Google’s Applied Digital Skills, a free project-based video and online curriculum.

Working in small groups of 2-3 members, 59 Library staff participated in this training project over several weeks. Groups producing the best results were nominated to present their outputs, and the best of those won awards for their excellent work.