Library Logo Contest
HKUST Library wants a logo for promotional materials, so we call on creative and innovative students, staff, and alumni to submit logo designs!
All HKUST students, staff, and alumni are invited to showcase your talent to submit creative, original, and professional logo designs for the Library in the 2021 Spring semester. Library staff and their family members, and logo adjudicators and their family members, are not eligible to participate.
Creativity has no boundaries, so let your imagination run free to express your feeling or impression towards the Library. The logo should help promote the HKUST Library’s mission (https://library.hkust.edu.hk/about-us/mission/) as a Learning Hub and Scholarly Gateway to support the University’s teaching, learning, and research.
• One Grand Prize: HKD $2,000
• Prize for Most Facebook likes: HKD $1,000
All logo design entries will be posted on the Library Facebook album for voting the “Most Facebook Likes” by the public.
Details will be available soon, so stay tuned!
Researchers’ Series – Invest a Little Time with Us and Save Time Later!
Are you embarking on your research and need advice on the research process? Researchers’ Series is a Library program designed to help you grow your research management skills. It offers a series of seminars and workshops aimed at sharpening research skills such as referencing and publishing. Our Researchers’ Series is composed of four main themes: (i) Authorship, (ii) Copyright, (iii) Data, and (iv) Impact. These themes are central for researchers to advance through different stages of the research process in an organized and efficient manner.
This fall, the Library will offer sessions on copyright, data discovery and journal submission. Workshops covering research metrics and scholar profile management are also scheduled later in the term. Some sessions qualify for the Professional Development Course (PDC) for research postgraduates.
Research data management (RDM) has become an increasingly important area in higher education. In November, a research data expert from Springer Nature will host a webinar on “Sharing Sensitive Research Data”. This module will address challenges and techniques in sensitive data (e.g. demographic data) sharing. Participants will learn how to collect and disseminate sensitive data, including preparation before their research begin. For further details, stay tuned to our email announcement. You can also find out more about Researchers’ Series and our scheduled workshops at https://library.hkust.edu.hk/services/research-support/researchers-series/.
Dr. Louie & Ms Sylvia Lam Book Talk
Following the very successful book talk in 2018 on 運動科學是與非 (Fact and Fiction in Sports Sciences), we are very pleased to have the return of Dr. Lobo Louie (雷雄德博士) in this fall. On October 8, Dr. Louie, together with his co-author, Dietitian Sylvia Lam (林思為營養師), will talk on their book《運動+營養 : 講是又講非》. They will dispel some common misconceptions about exercise and nutrition, and share the tips on proper exercise and healthy eating.
Dr. Louie is currently Associate Professor in the Department of Sport and Physical Education at the Hong Kong Baptist University. He also serves as Associate Director of the Dr. Stephen Hui Research Centre for Physical Recreation and Wellness, and as President of the Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science. Sylvia is currently a senior dietitian (Accredited Practicing Dietitian, Australia) at Pro-Wellness Health Centre, and serves as the External Affairs Officer of the Hong Kong Dietitians Association.
Collection Spotlight: New Arrivals and Major Database Expansion
Artstor – a growing digital collection of over 2.5 million images. It provides tools to view, present, and manage images for research and pedagogical purposes supporting users in all areas of visual arts.
China Academic Journals Full-Text Database: new subjects – Over 1,700 journals in mathematics, physics, mechanics, astronomy and medicine from 2010 have been added.
Digital Dissertations Consortium : extended year coverage – Full-text content is now available from 2001. This database gives tens of thousands of ProQuest dissertations, also discoverable in a related database called ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I.
Gale Primary Sources : China and the Modern World – Sourced from preeminent libraries and archives across the world, these unique collections of monographs, manuscripts, periodicals, correspondence, historical photos, and documents provide primary source materials for the study of various aspects of China from the 1800’s to1980’s.
Historical Economist Archive 1843 to 2015 – Over 170 years of this weekly magazine, including supplements, special reports, and surveys are fulltext searchable. Many post-1983 charts and tables are downloadable in excel format.
JSTOR Journals: expanded coverage – Eight more collections, ie., Arts & Sciences V, VIII, XI, XII, XIII, XIV, XV and Sustainability are added giving access to 1,146 archival journals in various disciplines. Full text for the most current 3-5 years is not available.
National Geographic Magazine Archive, 1888 – 2015 – This iconic magazine appeals to researchers and general readers alike. All articles, photographs and maps are faithfully reproduced in the archive. Users can browse by subjects/geographical regions or search articles/image descriptions.
South China Morning Post ePaper – SCMP ePaper is a full digital replica of the printed newspaper from August 1, 2018. Users can browse and search the entire content, and download selected pages or whole issues in PDF format.
Springer Book Archives Physics and Astronomy – SpringerLink is enriched with 6,500 ebooks in Physics and Astronomy to complement the Mathematics and Statistics book archive acquired a few years ago. All the books were published before 2005.
Fall Exhibitions
In recent months, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused much disruptions for our exhibitions and related activities.
We soft opened the exhibition on “Chinese Seals and Seal Impression Catalogues through the Dynasties” (https://library.hkust.edu.hk/exhibitions/seal/) on May 7, and held a talk on “漢印之美” and a demonstration on “拓邊款及鈐印示範” via Zoom in May. The response was terrific and many had asked to rerun the events in fall. The exhibition also published a catalog on selective seals and seal albums. Visitors may ask our staff for a free copy if they are interested in having one.
In August, we changed some of the exhibits with a focus now on manuscript seal impression albums. Surviving only in small numbers, manuscript albums are extremely rare and precious. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity of seeing them in person before the exhibition closes on October 30.
The exhibition on “Yi – Aurora Photography Exhibition of Anthony Yau” has been postponed and is now scheduled to open on October 13 in the G/F Gallery. An HKUST alumnus, Anthony is renowned in polar and landscape photography. He has led over 20 photographic tours to different parts of the world to photograph the Aurora and landscape there. While the pandemic has forbidden us from traveling, we can now view the mysterious and miraculous glow at HKUST in photos and videos. Anthony will also give a photographic talk. Stay tuned for our announcements.
And more, we have arranged various art displays in the Library. They are Stencil Prints by Yu Ping and Ren Ping on G/F, HKUST Library Posters on 1/F, Photographs by Jin Shouxian on LG1 and Chinese Paintings by Mr. Chow Chian-chiu and Mrs. Chow Leung Chen-ying on LG4. The next time you visit the Library, do spend time to appreciate these stunning works which come from our Library Artwork Collection (https://lbezone.ust.hk/rse/artwork-collection).
Smart Fever Screening System (SFSS) in the Library
In Mid-May the Library has installed a Smart Fever Screening System (SFSS) at the Library G/F entrance gate. This is one of our actions taken for library user and staff safety (https://library.hkust.edu.hk/blog/2020/02/24/actions-taken-for-your-safety/).
The SFSS system was developed by HKUST researchers. Using AI and real-time tracking technologies, the system tracks the human face and detects heat at the same time. Real time video and thermal data is displayed in a remote tablet PC. The system triggers an alarm if the human body temperature is over a certain temperature threshold such as 37.5 °C. Library staff recognizes the unwell person whose face is bracketed in red on the screen. Library staff take needed actions such as not allowing the unwell person coming in the Library, advising the unwell person to go to the clinic, etc. This system has also been implemented at various government and University facilities.
Security and privacy are very important issues. The SFSS system tracks the person’s face and performs detection in real-time. No personal data is kept in the system.
Soon, the SFSS system at the Library G/F entrance gate will be mounted at the ceiling. The Library will also install an SFSS system at the Learning Commons entrance gate.
Covid-19 and the Library
As we reported in the Spring, the Library has taken a number of actions and precautions related to the Covid-19 Situation in Hong Kong. These range from enhanced cleaning and enforcement of personal safety and social distancing to the provision of alternative service options where feasible when the Library could not be open for access.
The Library will open or reopen whenever the situation allows. In the Spring this involved opening in a phased manner, with gradual expansion of available services and accessible floors and spaces. And then reversing some of these phases as the situation worsened.
Be assured that our staff will do everything we can to meet your informational and study needs within the shifting public health conditions.
Cleaning and Hygiene: The entire building has been sprayed with an anti-microbial and anti-viral solution, including all furnishings and surfaces. When the Library is open, cleaning will be done more frequently, and with stronger cleaning materials. We have also implemented automated temperature checks for everyone who enters the Library. Disinfectant gel dispensers are available at all Library service points. Water spigots on fountains have been capped, while bottle refilling remains available. Air flow has been increased for stronger ventilation, although this may result in colder temperatures in some areas.
Social Distancing: In addition to all users and staff being required to wear a mask at all times in public areas of the building, we remind you to maintain the currently recommended social distancing. The number and placement and availability of chairs and study rooms will be adjusted as needed to meet current safety recommendations.
Book Handling: The Library has an ultraviolet (UV-C) book sterilizer on the Ground Floor. It is available for you to use on Library books, or your own personal books. It kills 99.9% of surface bacteria and viruses, including COVID-19. Also all returned books are handled by staff wearing masks and gloves and are processed through a heavy-duty UV-C book wash.
Book Loans: When the Library is closed, you still need to be able to access Library materials. While most new purchases are being prioritized in electronic format for easier access, physical materials can still be requested through the PowerSearch catalog, and Library staff will contact you with details of how to pick it up at the G/F of the Library.
Your cooperation with these measures, and with any instructions from security or Library staff is the key to our mutual safety. Let’s all work together to ensure improved outcomes.
Need a pause? Take a nap!
Research suggests that a short nap during the day can help you work better, think more clearly, and balance your emotions. Most people feel refreshed after a 20-minute nap whereas longer naps may leave you sleepier as they require waking up from deeper sleep. Also, students with SEN (Special Education Needs) often experience sleep difficulties. Taking a nap can relieve eye or brain fatique, extend daytime alertness and reduce tension.
The “Need-A-Pause” campaign is a collaborative project of the Library and the SEN Support of the Counseling and Wellness Center to raise students’ wellbeing awareness and promote sleep hygiene. Nap pods are now on LG1 of the Library for a pilot run. They let you recline at a comfortable angle, with ambient music and diffuse colored lighting for relaxing and refreshing your mind and body. After 20 minutes, the pod will gently wake you up with increasing light and pulsations. There is no need to book the pods – use them first-come-first-served.
But don’t expect a nap to make up for not getting enough sleep at night!
Please note that the launch of the Nap Pods may be postponed or interrupted due to the COVID-19 epidemic and building construction.
Library iTalks – Sept 24 & Oct 29
Prof. Eric S Nelson
This fall the Library will host two HKUST SHSS faculty members to discuss their recent books via Zoom. Both talks should be of interest no matter what school you are in!
Prof. Stuart Gietel Basten
Professor Stuart Gietel-Basten (SOSC) will discuss his recent book, The ’Population Problem’ in Pacific Asia. This book is one of first to look in-depth at the issue of low fertility in Pacific Asia. A lively speaker, Prof. Gietel-Basten will use qualitative and quantitative data and examples from newspapers and other media to bring us to a better understanding of the region’s so-called population problems. Join the talk via Zoom on September 24, 4:00-5:30pm.
Interested in philosophy, environmental ethics, religious studies, or intellectual history? Come to Professor Eric S. Nelson’s talk, based on his forthcoming book, Daoism and Environmental Philosophy. Learn more about ethics and the philosophy of nature in the 道德經 (Daodejing), the 莊子 (Zhuangzi), and other Daoist texts and how we can relate them to the current environmental crisis. Join us in Zoom on October 29, Noon-1:30pm.
Library Data Analytics Platform
We recently launched a Library Data Analytics Platform, which provides interactive visualization and analytics capability to meet the demand of data-driven decision-making and various reporting needs. Previously we had a mining system collecting access log data from the Library’s web-based applications to generate usage reports. With this new enterprise-ready business intelligence software, we can conduct real-time analysis on more types of datasets, including machine data from servers, devices, and the Integrated Library System, and data manually collected by library staff, such as headcount data recorded during patrols.
Seven dashboards are available (https://library.hkust.edu.hk/about-us/statistics/analytics), covering gate entry counts, headcounts, PowerSearch access, virtual visits, WiFi and computer usage and IT item loans. The list of dashboards will increase as more and more data sources are brought into the system. We have also successfully embedded charts from this Platform to SPD scholar profile pages to showcase researchers’ publication pattern (e.g. https://repository.ust.hk/ir/AuthorProfile/tang-benzhong).
This technological achievement is the result of an in-depth product evaluation and programming effort for data feed automation. The product evaluation led us to adopt an open-source software known as Apache Superset, which is comparable to commercial enterprise-level packages. As it is open source the software and is free-of-charge and we are able to save a substantial amount of subscription fees. Superset also has powerful features allowing us to publish dashboards for public access and to embed
charts in external web pages, which are unique capabilities not found in other products evaluated.
last modified 08 September 2020