Issue 21
Sep 2024
Editor’s note
Welcome back! I hope everyone reading this issue had a great summer break. Many new things happened in the Library this summer, and I can’t wait for you to read all about them in this issue!
First of all, Levels 6 & 7 of the Main Library finally reopened on 1 August 2024 after a year of intense renovation. Thanks for bearing with us this whole period when the floors were closed. We know that you will love the new space. Our joy is shared by HKBU’s President, Provost, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary, and Director of Estates, who all joined us for the reopening ceremony. The second new thing is our new Course Readings platform called “Leganto Reading Lists”! This new platform makes the creation and sharing of reading lists so much easier for instructors. The third new thing is our new digital object search portal. The Library has collaborated on numerous impressive digital projects with faculty over the years. This portal will greatly improve information discovery in these digital projects. Last but not least, we have four new librarians on board! Read on to see who they are and what they have to say!
While we were busy implementing new things and installing new furniture, we also bid farewell to our Information Desk on Level 3, which has served patrons for over 20 years. Although reference services have been merged into the User Services Counter, I can’t help but feel a tinge of sentiment as I spent my fair share of time on duty at the Information Desk when I first joined HKBU Library. So long, desk! We will see you at the User Services Counter.
I hope you enjoy reading this issue and don’t forget to join our orientation activities and library workshops!
Maggie Wong
User Services Librarian
Reopening of Levels 6 and 7 of the Main Library
The wait is finally over! Our top two floors have reopened following the completion of extensive renovation works. While the space was closed for fifteen months, the whole project took almost three years in total when planning and preparation work is included. Looking at the finished product, I am sure that you will agree that all the effort was well worth it.
To mark this milestone, a reopening ceremony was held on 29 August 2024. The Library was honoured to have the President and Vice-Chancellor officiate at the event. In his speech, Prof. Alexander Wai shared:
“This renovation demonstrates HKBU’s commitment to providing the Best Student Experience in the pursuit of knowledge. The library is not just a building with books; it serves as a foundation for innovation, learning, and community.“
In planning for this renovation, we thought carefully about student needs and sought to provide a variety of different types of study spaces to cater to different learning styles and preferences. Combined with vastly improved space configuration, lighting, and general ambience, HKBU is proud to offer an elevated library experience to our students.
Many colleagues from both the Library and the Estates Office contributed to the success of this project. I put on record my deep thanks and appreciation to them all for the fantastic team effort in support of the Library’s development.
If you haven’t already, come and visit our brand-new Levels 6 and 7 to experience the spaces for yourself or watch our video tour!
Chris Chan
University Librarian
Easily manage all course reading items with Leganto Reading Lists
Starting in AY2024/25, instructors can enjoy using a one-stop reading list management service via a system called Leganto, managed by the Library. Leganto Reading Lists is integrated with the Library OneSearch and Moodle, streamlining the process of searching, adding, and sharing class materials.
In the past, instructors could only rely on the Library to create their reading lists. With Leganto Reading Lists, instructors can now DIY, creating and organizing their course reading lists anytime, anywhere!
Beyond incorporating materials from the Library collections, instructors can add external resources to their lists, such as YouTube videos, websites, and personal files.
Leganto Reading Lists comes with many new features too! For example:
- “Read before” date to encourage students to read the item before class
- “Note to students” for sharing additional information
- Add teaching assistants or other instructors as collaborator to help maintain and update the list
- View usage statistics of the reading list items e.g. how many students have clicked on the item link, borrowed the textbook.
Want to take a real look at what a Leganto Reading List looks like? Check out these public lists created by librarians!
- Getting Started with Generative AI
- American Psychological Association (APA) Style
- Top News Sources @HKBU Library
Visit the service page to learn more!
Digital Object Search – Search across Library Digital Projects
We are excited to announce the launch of our newly revamped digital object search portal, designed to provide an enhanced and seamless research experience for digital objects created across various HKBU Library digital projects:
The portal offers centralized, comprehensive access to a wide array of resources, significantly enhancing efficiency and discoverability while saving researchers valuable time. This integration supports interdisciplinary studies by allowing seamless searches across multiple collections. By increasing the visibility of various digital projects, the portal encourages broader usage and collaboration among researchers from different fields. We invite you to explore the newly revamped portal and discover the wealth of digitized records available at your fingertips!
Eric Chow
Digital Scholarship Manager
Meet our new librarians!
Bethany Wilkes
Deputy University Librarian
Hello everyone! I am delighted to join HKBU as the Deputy University Librarian. I’m thrilled to be part of this knowledgeable, dedicated, and innovative team. My primary role is working closely with the University Librarian to lead and oversee the Library and to develop and advance Library strategy in collaboration with the University Librarian and Cluster Heads. I have focused responsibility for the Chinese Medicine Library, Shek Mun Campus Library, Library Exhibitions, and Book Culture Club. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues and engaging with the broader HKBU community, fostering meaningful connections with our Library and ensuring that the Library’s offerings are aligned with your needs.
My background is in information literacy and library leadership, and I have had the pleasure of working at several institutions, including City University of Hong Kong, Yale-NUS College, and Singapore Management University. I enjoy contributing to institutions that are dynamic, collaborative, and globally minded – HKBU seems like such a place!
In addition to all things library, I enjoy hiking, sailing (OK, maybe once the weather is cooler and drier!), sampling delicious Hong Kong cuisine, and, yes, reading. I look forward to being a part of the HKBU community and to meeting you in the Library, on campus, or online!
Jeannette Ma
Special Collections & Archives Librarian
I am the new Special Collections and Archives Librarian, and I joined the HKBU Library in mid-June 2024. I decided to pursue my further studies in librarianship because of my passion for books, the library environment, and serving users. Since graduating from university, I have gained experience working in various academic libraries, special libraries focusing on sports and education, mobile library, the Corporate Archives of an insurance company, and the Legislative Council Archives.
During my first week at HKBU, it was truly fascinating when my colleagues gave me a tour of the Library and campus. Many memories came back from my time as a student at HKBU, making it a special experience. Working at my Alma Mater is a true honour.
Our section is situated on Level 4 of the Main Library. We welcome you to visit and explore the unique collection that the Library has to offer.
Venus Lam
Information Services Librarian
Hi, I am Venus, a new Information Services Librarian here at HKBU.
With my experience in frontline services, you may have seen me around the library before. In this new role, I’m dedicated to helping you navigate our extensive library resources, guiding you through your research endeavours, and providing the support you need to excel in your academic journey. I’m passionate about connecting with you.
Outside of work, I find joy in spending quality time with my family and unwinding by cooking. I love creating delicious meals that bring everyone together around the table. Sharing a home-cooked meal is one of the ways I find balance and stay energized for the work I do. I’m excited to bring that same enthusiasm to my role here and look forward to supporting your success at HKBU.
Ian So
Metadata and Cataloguing Librarian
This is Ian So, from the Metadata and Cataloguing Services Team of the Library. This is a mix of new and old experiences. I was newly appointed as the Metadata and Cataloguing Librarian. And, this is the very first time I have written a piece for the Library Newsletter. The new role brought me new responsibilities, and newer angles to look at things and people. Like some of the new joiners of the University, this freshness and excitement are something we share.
I am, however, a long-serving HKBU staff member. I joined the University Library in the fall of 2002 after graduation. Longer serving staff may have recognized my face because over these years I served at the library counter in the evenings and on the weekends. The traditions passed onto my generation of colleagues at the Library are that we were a smaller institution with limited resources, and yet our dedication to our calling was powerful. Some of my predecessors had worked in the days when they were doing a hard job to have Baptist College properly recognized as Baptist University. It’s from them, that the spirits of dedication, friendships, and love for the University have passed onto my generation. I’ve always seen our colleagues going the extra mile for our students and professors. It is my hope that these valuable traditions can go on.
My team is responsible for describing resources the Library purchases or subscribes to in Onesearch, which is the place you will go to search for library resources. Most students and professors contact us to report mistakes, such as typos, and broken links, in Onesearch records. You may click on the “Report a problem” button on the Onesearch record page to let us know. We will help resolve the problem quickly.
A major thing which we are now doing for the Library Users is the Reclass Project. As you may have noticed there are multiple call number classification systems in place in the Library. We know that this is undesirable, so, we’re changing to use one classification system only for the majority of library resources. This is a huge project we’re working very hard on, with colleagues from other units of the Library. Hope that this can make your studies here easier!
“One Counter, Both Services” at the Main Library
Come to the User Services Counter on Level 3 of Au Shue Hung Memorial Library (Main Library), our primary and hassle-free one-stop service point. Library staff on duty will provide essential borrowing services and answer simple reference enquiries.
During term-time (except public holidays), our Counter opening hours are:
- Monday – Friday 9 am – 10:30 pm
- Saturday 10 am – 7 pm
- Sunday 1 pm – 7 pm
For additional learning and research support, you may wish to contact us through the following channels:
- Email: libref@hkbu.edu.hk
- Phone: +852 3411-7363
- WhatsApp: +852 5440-6607
- Facebook Messenger: hkbulibrary
Furthermore, you may approach your Liaison Librarian to arrange a tailor-made Library Workshop or request a Research Consultation meeting on a specific research project.
As in the past, physical counters were the only way for patrons to get help from librarians. For decades, we used to have a separate Information Desk on Level 3. From the early 2000s to around the mid-2010s, the Information Desk would receive over 10,000 enquiries from faculty members, students and visitors per academic year!
Location of the Information Desk before Sep 2015 
Location of the Information Desk from Sep 2015 to Aug 2024
User behaviour has changed in the last decade, especially after COVID-19. Most users contact us via our online communication channels. Just like many academic libraries, it is time for us to align with this prevailing trend to consolidate physical counters for multiple library services. As such, we can better make use of available resources for exploring new and extended library services, like Leganto Reading Lists and AI tools (check out our Generative AI Guide and video).
Let us bid farewell to our Information Desk. But don’t forget to contact our Liaison Librarians and Information Services Team directly for any library support.
Nancy Chan
Head of User and Information Services
Last updated: 04 September 2024