Library Newsletter Issue 27

Welcoming Students Then and Now: The University Librarian’s View

Welcome to a special edition of the Library Newsletter, celebrating 70 years of HKBU by reflecting on our own seven decades of service and transformation. In this issue, you’ll hear from many of the people who are shaping the Library’s future by building on its remarkable past. My personal perspective on this continuous evolution starts with the bustling student orientation of 2008.

I joined HKBU Library in late August 2008 as an Information Services Librarian. I can vividly recall that I arrived just as my new colleagues were in the midst of delivering the library orientation workshops for that year’s intake of freshman students. Back then, we coordinated dozens of in-person sessions. Librarians rushed between multiple different venues on campus delivering up to four or five workshops each in a single day. Orientation day was certainly the most physically exhausting thing I have needed to do as a librarian! We still do an orientation for Year 1 undergraduate students, but these are now done online. It is certainly much more efficient, but there is a downside in that we no longer have the opportunity to welcome our new students in person.

The content of these workshops has also changed radically over the years. Those sessions back in 2008 focused on how to search the library catalogue, and included a primer on Boolean logic. These days, the orientation emphasises the need to use the Library’s high quality online information resources, and positions librarians as research experts ready to support diverse academic needs. Although the services and resources of academic libraries have expanded and improved, many new students come to HKBU with a traditional view of libraries as a place to borrow print books, so the sessions aim to broaden their perspective.

Speaking of books, the Library’s collections have also undergone a profound transformation over the decades. When Hong Kong Baptist College was founded in 1956, there were roughly five thousand books in the collection. This figure grew to well over one million by the early 2000s, but has now started to decline as the Library strategically curates its physical holdings to maximise relevancy and impact. This change also reflects the much greater emphasis that we now place on digital collections, which of course did not exist at the time of our founding. More than 90% of the Library’s annual collection budget is spent on e-resources, with the HKBU community downloading millions of articles and book chapters from our subscriptions each year.

Another important shift has been in the Library’s spaces. When I joined the Library, silent study was the rule throughout the building. As collaborative learning began to be emphasised by the University, the Library responded by establishing first the Learning Commons and later the Academic Commons to cater for student need for flexible study spaces. The Library also established the first 24-hour study space on campus. We remain nimble in responding to the evolving priorities of the University, as evidenced by the recent opening of the CollabTech Commons as a technology-forward learning and discovery space.

I could go on at length about the many significant changes and major projects completed by the Library – support for open access publishing, migration to a new library management system, the ongoing reclassification of our print collections, extensive renovation projects, to name just a few. In the interests of brevity, I will instead close by noting the Library’s many significant contributions to the learning, teaching, and research mission of HKBU. Seven decades of transformation have taught us that preserving knowledge and empowering its creators are equally important parts of the Library’s mission, and this will continue far into the future.

Christopher Chan
University Librarian

Facility Upgrade: From Classic Wooden Furniture to Modern Comfort

Everything in our Library has a story, even the furniture. When we look back at these old photos, they bring back so many good memories, don’t they?

Many of us remember the old wooden carrels—solid, sturdy, and wonderfully bulky. They made a quiet space for us to focus. And what about that chunky wooden furniture, like the big stands built to hold heavy dictionaries? The chairs might not have been as comfortable as today’s, but they all had a classic charm and hold warm memories of a simpler time.

Now, our spaces look completely different. Heavy wood is gone, replaced with modern, comfortable furniture. A carrel is now a personal spot with power outlets and USB ports for today’s technology. While our goal remains the same, our furniture has changed with the times to support our students now and for years to come.

Sammy Chan
Manager

Handwritten Treasures to Clickable Wonders: Three Advancements in Library Collection Services

Purchase records

Have you thought about how library collection services have changed over the years?

The Library has kept accession records of the purchases in handwriting in the Baptist College days. Basic bibliographic information and the prices were recorded.

Whereas today, order records, including fulfilled purchases, are stored in the automated library system.

Book selections

Then came the era of automated library system. More experienced faculty members may have seen the computer-generated yellow slips to select latest scholarly books. Helpful book selection information, such as subject, Dewey classification number, level, and fund code were presented on the yellow slips.

But, as technology evolved, faculty members now receive book selection notifications via email, and select books at the vendor’s selection platform.

Cataloguing and discovery service

When the books have arrived, cataloguers make sure they are discoverable at the library catalogue. In the old days, cataloguers handwrote or typed the book information on a small index card. 

The cards were then put in wooden cabinets.  And, library users looked for the card from the drawer in the cabinet, and the call number at the top-left of each card would lead the users to the exact bookshelf. 

Gone are the old days! Now, library users can find the books by typing the title or author details in OneSearch, thanks to the modern, networked library catalogue!

Ian So
Metadata and Cataloguing Librarian 

Evolving with the Times: The Journey from Multimedia Learning Center to CollabTech Commons

As Hong Kong Baptist University marks its 70th anniversary in 2026, the Library stands as a vivid reflection of how the institution has adapted to profound changes in academia and technology.

Audiovisual Services

The Library has provided and managed audiovisual collections in a dedicated physical space known as the Multimedia Learning Center since the late 1990s (with roots possibly extending even earlier). In 1999, the space was expanded with the opening of a state-of-the-art computer lab, designed to meet the growing computer needs of the university community at that time.

Computer Lab in 1999

Digital Scholarship Services

In 2009, the Library developed HKBUtube, the university’s pioneering video streaming platform for university talks and local documentaries. Building on this experience, the Library took pivotal steps in 2013: launched HKBU Heritage showcasing student’s creative works collected across departments, organized Hong Kong’s first digital humanities conference, and formally established digital humanities as a core service area. In 2014, it delivered the university’s inaugural digital humanities project in collaboration with a history faculty member. The following year, 2015, brought the introduction of the Digital Scholarship Grant to support innovative faculty projects, alongside a complete renovation of the Multimedia Learning Centre considering evolving university needs.

Multimedia Learning Center before 2015’s renovation

Multimedia Learning Center after 2015’s renovation

Research Output Visibility and Impact Services

The Library’s responsibilities continued to expand in 2015 and 2016, when it took on responsibilities in Scholarly Communications—including RAE and CDCF support, open access initiatives, IRIMS management, and other research visibility support functions—and Research Data Services, respectively. The popular Research Data Tool Series workshops were also introduced that same year (2016).

CollabTech Commons

Now, in 2026, the Library embarks on its latest transformation with the introduction of the CollabTech Commons. This innovative new space replaces the original Multimedia Learning Center, equipping the university community with cutting-edge prototyping tools, immersive technologies, and corresponding support services to foster collaboration, creativity, and forward-thinking research.

CollabTech Commons (Phase 1)

Through these continuous evolutions—from analog AV support to AI-enhanced digital scholarship and immersive tech—the Library embodies its enduring commitment to evolving alongside HKBU’s academic mission.

Rebekah Wong
Head of Digital Initiatives & Research

Information Desk

“Where can I find this book?”
“How to use this database?”
“How do I cite this news article?”
“The printer doesn’t work”
“Where can I find the toilet?”

For nearly three decades, the Information Desk at the Au Shue Hung Memorial Library (Main Library) was the go-to spot for most enquiries.

Back in 1995, when the Main Library opened and the internet wasn’t yet in everyone’s pocket, users came to the Desk in person for answers and hands-on help. It was part concierge, part tech support, part detective agency, that always serves with a friendly smile.

As the entrance floor underwent renovation in 2015, the Information Desk, along with the Information Services office, moved closer to the User Services Counter in September for that year. With more questions arriving online, the physical Desk saw fewer walk-ups, and, in June 2024, it formally merged with the User Services Counter to streamline services and make the best use of staff time.

What’s there now? A cozy leisure reading corner, complete with Popular Books shelves and comfortable chairs. It’s the perfect place to take a breather, flip through a librarian’s pick, or just enjoy a quiet moment.

Need help today? The friendly faces are still here! Now at the User Services Counter and just a message away on WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or email and phone. A different service window, but the same commitment to getting you the answers you need.

Maggie Wong
User Services Librarian 

Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future: Special Collections and Archives at HKBU Library

As HKBU marks its 70th anniversary, we reflect on then and now. Then, the Library’s Special Collections and Archives (SCA) took shape as a centre for heritage and scholarship. Now, it connects past and present, linking collections and communities.

In 1999, SCA brought together the Archives on the History of Christianity in China (established in 1996), the University Archives formerly housed in the Reference Section (developed in the 1980s), and the Contemporary China Research Collection (established in 1985). This alignment of stewardship and description provides user‑friendly access to the collections. Our strategy prioritises digitising unique primary sources that illuminate the history of Christianity in China and HKBU’s institutional story; strengthening rare‑book and manuscript holdings; expanding photographic and ephemera collections; and building partnerships with donors and Christian organisations (Personal Papers and Organisational Records) to enhance access. Sustained efforts in preservation, metadata creation, and digitisation have opened these materials to teaching, learning, and global scholarship.

Now, with the HKBU Library Art Collections joining SCA in 2025, the remit extends to visual culture. Integrating artworks with archives fosters cross‑disciplinary discovery and supports exhibitions, research, and experiential learning. From card indexes to searchable digital platforms, and from boxes of prints to high‑resolution images, access continues to broaden. Enhanced finding aids and digital tools for collections management and discovery are being developed to better serve faculty, students, and the public.

Jeannette Ma
Special Collections and Archives Librarian

Measuring What Matters: Evolving to Support Your Success

How do we measure the value the Library brings to the HKBU community? As the University has grown over the decades, our methods have evolved. We have shifted from focusing on the size of our collection to focusing on the quality of your academic and research experience.

The Past: Supporting You Through Availability

“Then,” our primary goal was access. In an era before digital connectivity, we built a robust, physical foundation and measured success by volume. When established in 1956, our library started with only several thousand volumes, growing to hundreds of thousands by the time the Fong Shu Chuen Library opened in 1986. We counted books and tracked seats to ensure the growing student body had maximum options available.

The Present: Supporting You Through Impact

“Now,” our goal is impact. Today, we measure success through tangible outcomes, reflected in our exceptionally high 95.57% user satisfaction rate.

For students, we look at how our environments and instruction drive performance. The transformation of Level 2 into the vibrant Trans-disciplinary Discovery Commons (Tddc) illustrates this shift, providing modern spaces where students report enhanced focus and collaboration. Beyond spaces, our workshops equipped over 11,300 attendees last year with vital skills, and survey data confirms these faculty-librarian partnerships lead directly to students applying advanced research skills beyond the classroom.

For faculty, we measure how effectively our digital ecosystem accelerates discovery. With over 1 million e-journal articles and 728K e-book uses, and 1.29 million OneSearch queries annually, our resources are deeply integrated into your daily workflow. By providing unlimited access to AI platforms like Consensus and resolving over 17,700 research enquiries last year, we actively streamline the research process.

We no longer just ask if the library is big enough, instead we ask if it is effective enough. Today, we measure our success by how well we help you achieve yours.

Wallace Wong
User Experience & Assessment Librarian

From Foundation to Future: The Renovation of the Dr. Stephen Riady Chinese Medicine Library

The Dr. Stephen Riady Chinese Medicine Library (CML) was established to directly support Chinese medicine teaching and learning at HKBU. What began as a dedicated Chinese Medicine Collection in the Main Library (AML) in 1998 quickly expanded alongside new programmes and growing curriculum needs. In 2001, CML officially opened and became the first university Chinese Medicine Library in Hong Kong.

It was named the Dr. Stephen Riady Chinese Medicine Library on 27 October 2008, accompanied by major appearance enhancements.

Since then, CML has steadily enhanced its learning environment – moving from early set-up and core equipment to ongoing improvements in facilities and study support.

As part of the School of Chinese Medicine building revitalization project, CML has been undergoing a significant renovation with collections and staff temporarily relocated to AML to maintain access and support from July 2025.

Now, CML is taking its next step forward. CML collections will be moved back in April 2026 and the new CML is expected to reopen in May 2026.

We warmly invite you to visit us when CML reopens – a refreshed space to better support the teaching and learning. For the latest updates and arrangements, please visit: https://library.hkbu.edu.hk/cml-renovation-project/

David Su
Chinese Medicine Librarian

Shek Mun Campus Library: Two Decades of Connection and Innovation

As HKBU celebrates its 70th anniversary, Shek Mun Campus Library (SMCL) proudly marks two decades of service to our vibrant community. When SMCL opened in 2006, it supported multiple academic divisions and study programmes, welcoming students into an inviting environment filled with print books, journals, and dedicated study spaces.

Over the years, SMCL has continually adapted to the evolving needs of the campus. Driven by rapid technological advancement and new learning approaches, our collections have expanded far beyond print to include e-books, online journals, and digital databases. This ensures students and faculty flexible access to information, supporting both academic goals and self-directed learning in an increasingly digital world.

In 2025, SMCL underwent a major renovation to further enhance its support for our growing academic community. The transformed library now features upgraded study areas and flexible collaborative spaces, encouraging learning beyond the classroom, providing platforms to showcase students’ talents, and promoting well-being. The enhanced library stands as a vibrant hub for academic achievement, creative expression, and personal growth.

Today, SMCL serves a diverse and dynamic population across various divisions and programmes. More than a place for study, it is a lively venue for events and interdisciplinary collaboration. Looking ahead, SMCL remains committed to enriching academic life and supporting the holistic development of all.

Joyce Tang
Shek Mun Campus Librarian

早年的正名事情

筆者乃一名編目員。圖書編目很重視名稱。

很多人都知道大學正名的事—1994年「香港浸會學院」正名為「香港浸會大學」。英文名稱由 ‘Hong Kong Baptist College’ 改為 ‘Hong Kong Baptist University’.

但較少人認識我校早年的正名事情。黃嫣梨所著《香港浸會大學校史》載我校1956年的董事會議決以「香港浸會學院」和 ‘Hong Kong Baptist College’ 的名稱創辦一所基督教具大學規模的高等學府。

我校取名「浸會學院」乃反映本地浸信會信徒和美南浸信會的傳教士在資源極貧乏的1950年代對香港中文中學學制的畢業生的升學就業問題的承擔和決心！

光從正名事情，也能從中窺探先輩面對的打擊和他們的決心！當他們註冊時，中文名稱卻觸礁—殖民地政府當時不允許私立專上學府用「學院」字樣註冊。故此，創校初代我校中文名稱只得使用「香港浸會書院」，英文仍許用 ‘Hong Kong Baptist College’. 而當年代的香港，「書院」一般被認作中學，地位次等。可是當時我校的招生、師資、組織實非當時的中學，然而眾先輩仍奮力前行，至終在1972年獲港督會同行政局批准使用「學院」稱號。

而今在大學圖書館目錄裏，只找到一筆以「香港浸會書院」為名的記錄，乃1962至64年間的學報，乃非常珍貴！

圖書館目錄記錄：https://library.hkbu.edu.hk/record/?ID=alma991018324839703409&T=L

在《南天海角獅子山前 : 浸會大學歷史刊物》數據庫，你可看到這份學報由「書院」變成「學院」而英文名稱保持不變的歷史：https://sys01.lib.hkbu.edu.hk/scadb/bup/lists_j.php?fac_avi_publication_title=Academic+journal

Ian So
Metadata and Cataloguing Librarian

Editor’s note

As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Hong Kong Baptist University, our library team took a trip back in time to reflect on the remarkable journey and advancements the Library has made over the past years.

The Past: One Search, Countless Efforts Behind

No delete button. No search button. No copy and paste. Every word was written by hand, without automatic spelling checks.

Could you imagine the Library organizing massive collections of resources entirely by hand?

Thank you to all those who worked so hard in the past. The dedication and precision in meticulously recording and preserving precious data — books, CDs, archives, and many other resources — continue to underpin the accuracy of today’s search engines and information management systems.

The Present: Pop into Your Space

Have you noticed the small improvements happening in the Library every day? We are constantly finding new ways to encourage users to stay a little longer and to create a more comfortable and inviting space.

We actively listen to our users and strive to understand and respond to their needs.

From individual study carrels and meeting rooms to better lighting, more power sockets, and a supportive information counter — every detail is thoughtfully considered to help you settle in and focus on your studies.

The Future：Imagine What’s Next

We preserve the archives so that we can cherish the past while taking one step further into the future. We are embracing artificial intelligence and new technologies to support forward-thinking projects and services.

As a new joiner without a library background, I once thought the library was simply stable. Now I see its strength doesn’t come from being still, but from constantly adapting through the continuous improvements of its dedicated members.

The transition—from handwritten records to digital systems, and from shelves packed with books to more study spaces—reflects our rapidly changing world.

Each small step has brought the Library to where it is today. Notice these valuable changes and see how the Library pops for you!

Connie Cheng
Marketing Officer

Like what you read? Want to work with us at the Library? Let us know!