Issue 25
Sep 2025
Editor’s note
A new academic year brings fresh beginnings, and we’re pleased to share the latest updates and achievements from the Library.
Our Shek Mun Campus Library has reopened after a major renovation, and improvements continue to create a modern, welcoming environment for all.
We’re excited to introduce two innovative digital scholarship projects: 香港流行文化地圖 and the Asian-European Energy Map. These platforms allow our community to interact with Hong Kong’s cultural heritage and urban sustainability research in new, engaging ways.
Our Book Culture Club continues to celebrate reading and creativity while encouraging dialogue. This past year, their events and workshops showcased alumni achievements, fostering learning beyond the classroom.
I am delighted to share the results of HKBU Library Service Survey 2025. Overall satisfaction remains exceptionally high, and your feedback and insights guide our continued growth and improvement.
In this issue, we have added Staff Highlights to recognize the valuable contributions, training, and awards received by our colleagues. Their dedication and professionalism underpin everything we do.
Thank you for being a vital part of our library community.
Wishing you a rewarding and inspiring year ahead.
Jeannette Ma
Special Collections and Archives Librarian
Message from the University Librarian
Welcome to the first Library Newsletter of the 2025-26 academic year! It’s a privilege to begin my fourth year as University Librarian (and my eighteenth at HKBU). Thanks to the tireless efforts of my colleagues, the year promises to be full of exciting developments. I will highlight here just a few of the improvements that we have planned. All are aligned with our recently refreshed strategic priorities, which you can learn more about here.
First up, the establishment of a CollabTech Commons on Level 4 of the Main Library will be the centrepiece of our efforts to support transdisciplinary learning and teaching. More than a makerspace, the Commons will be a hub where students of all disciplines can learn, experiment, and test creative solutions to real-world challenges. Our plan is to launch the first phase of services in the second semester. Stay tuned for more details!
Another big renovation project is the revitalisation of the Dr. Stephen Riady Chinese Medicine Library. While still located on the 2/F of the School of Chinese Medicine Building, it will sit alongside the Chinese Medicine Museum. Coupled with the just-completed renovation of the Shek Mun Campus Library, this project will mean that both our branch libraries will provide a vibrant and modern learning space for our students.
Turning from our physical spaces to our digital efforts, we are looking forward to celebrating the University’s 70th anniversary by highlighting our role as custodian of the University Archives. One exciting project will be a new digital humanities initiative showcasing the development of our campuses over the years. By digitising rare materials, we can preserve them for the future while making them freely accessible to alumni and friends of HKBU around the world.
I also want to acknowledge some of the less visible work done by Library staff. Behind the scenes, our colleagues are constantly working to manage both digital and print collections. Their efforts ensure that you have reliable, convenient access to the wide range of resources needed for learning, teaching, and research. Maintaining a world-class collection will always remain at the heart of the Library’s mission, and we will continue to expand its breadth, depth, and accessibility.
Lastly, visitors to the Main Library will have noticed the scaffolding that has gone up. This is to allow essential improvement work to the Au Shue Hung Memorial Library Building, including the replacement of windows. Additionally, the elevator serving the building also needs to be replaced. With a building that is thirty years old, such maintenance work is unavoidable. We appreciate your patience as we work to provide a safe, comfortable, and welcoming environment for all.
These are only a few highlights of what lies ahead. The Library is evolving with HKBU, and we are committed to creating spaces, collections, and services to help you succeed. I encourage you to stay connected with us—whether online or in our physical spaces—and to make the Library a part of your journey at HKBU. Together, let’s make this an inspiring year of learning, discovery, and community.
Christopher Chan
University Librarian
Welcome Back to Your Renewed Library
After eight months of renovation, Shek Mun Campus Library reopened on 1 September, and we can’t wait to warmly welcome you back! Explore refreshed spaces and a calming greenery view that brings nature into study and discovery. Thank you for your patience and support during our closure—your understanding made this transformation possible. Visit us to reconnect with favourite collections, find inspiration, and enjoy a brighter, comfortable place to learn, create, and belong.
Joyce Tang
Shek Mun Campus Librarian
Introducing Two New Digital Scholarship Projects
We’re pleased to announce the recent launch of two digital scholarship projects that offer interactive and informative ways to engage with Hong Kong’s cultural history and research on urban sustainability.
Discover Hong Kong through the lens of its classic movies and music with 「香港流行文化地圖」. Developed in collaboration with Dr. Ivan Yupeng Li from the Department of Interactive Media, this engaging platform connects iconic film scenes and Cantopop lyrics to their real-world locations across Hong Kong.
Currently populated with over 800 location descriptions from movies and songs, the dataset will continue to grow. The project offers a unique cultural journey, allowing users to explore an interactive map to find the filming locations of classic movies and landmarks mentioned in song lyrics.
Dive into detailed entries featuring memorable movie dialogue, song snippets, and production information. Additionally, users can search the database to discover how films and songs are woven into the urban fabric of Hong Kong.
Visit the website at:
Co-developed with Dr. Darren Man-wai Cheung from the Department of Geography, the Asian-European Energy Map is an online platform designed to track and visualise energy-saving projects in selected Hong Kong communities and various Asian-European cities. This map tool aims to enhance data accessibility and support research for sustainable, low-carbon urban development.
The platform features a City Energy Map to visualise and monitor community energy-saving initiatives and consumption patterns. Users can explore the map to see community participants and view detailed energy profiles and environmental impact data. Furthermore, users can examine visualisations of electricity consumption and performance metrics. The map serves as a valuable resource for comparing energy-saving performance within the community to foster engagement and positive change.
A City Solar Map will soon be added to the platform, focusing on solar energy performance, including stories from solar owners to educate and inspire the community.
Visit the website at:
Yvonne So
Digital Scholarship Manager
Book Culture Club: A Year of Alumni Excellence
In the past academic year, the Book Culture Club hosted three exciting events. We are especially proud to highlight that all our speakers and trainers were our distinguished alumni, sharing their expertise and inspiring everyone in our community. Let’s look back at the highlights!
Event 1: Understanding Mental Distress with Mr. Man-kit
Our first event of 2024-25 welcomed experienced outreach psychiatric social worker and alumnus, Mr. Yiu Man Kit. He shared insights from his book 《外展精神科工作血淚史》 (A History of Blood and Tears in Outreach Psychiatric Work), discussing real-life stories and challenges from his career. Moderated by Professor Hung Suet-lin, Shirley, Chair of the Department of Social Work, the talk offered practical insights into understanding and supporting mental health, for oneself and others.
Event 2: A Poetic Evening with Tim Tim Cheng
The Book Culture Club’s 57th event featured an inspiring author talk by Tim Tim Cheng, a talented poet and an alumna of HKBU. She read from her latest poetry collection, The Tattoo Collector (2024), and shared her journey as a writer. Dr. Jason Eng Hun Lee from the Academy of Language and Culture moderated the discussion, making it a wonderful opportunity for attendees to connect with the author and celebrate her poetry.
Event 3: Creative Bookbinding Workshop with mmmmor studio
Our final event of the season was a hands-on bookbinding workshop led by mmmmor studio, founded by HKBU Visual Arts graduates Lai Ping So and Wai Lun Hsu. This hands-on workshop introduced participants to crossed structure binding, a unique technique that creates an exposed spine with interlocking pages. Participants learned about essential bookbinding tools and materials, completed their own 80-page books. The event was incredibly popular, with over 110 registrations for only 20 available seats, showing the strong interest in creative arts within our community.
What’s Next?
We’re excited to announce that the first 2025/2026 Book Culture Club event is coming up on 22 October 2025 at 4 pm; mark your calendars! Join Professor Jason Polley, Department of English, as he discusses the editorial behind his recent volume Evil in Stephen King’s America: Essays, Images, Paratexts (co-edited with Stephanie Laine Hamilton) while providing insights into the master of horror.
For the latest updates, visit our website!
Becky Wu
Resource Management Librarian
HKBU Library Service Survey 2025: Celebrating Our Shared Success
I am thrilled to share the results from our HKBU Library Service Survey 2025. A heartfelt thank you to the 1,466 students, faculty, and staff who took the time to share their valuable feedback. Your participation and insights are the foundation of everything we do, and they inspire us to continue growing together.
A Community That Values Its Library
We are delighted to report that overall user satisfaction remains exceptionally high at 95.57%. This outstanding result reflects the strong relationship between the Library and our university community, and we are grateful for your continued trust and support.
We are especially pleased to see growing satisfaction among Undergraduate Students, Postgraduate Students, Academic Staff, and Non-teaching Staff. These positive trends demonstrate that our recent initiatives are making a meaningful difference in your library experience.
Your Digital Library: Growing in Value and Relevance
Your feedback shows increased appreciation for our enhanced digital collections. You have expressed significantly higher satisfaction with the currency, subject coverage, and accessibility of our resources. The positive response to our electronic journals and electronic books reinforces our commitment to providing you with world-class digital resources. We will continue to enhance the relevancy of, and ease of access to, our digital collections and welcome your recommendations.
The Power of Partnership
One of our exciting discoveries this year is the impact of collaboration. We found a strong connection between faculty-librarian partnerships and student success, with more students applying research skills beyond their initial classes. This reinforces our belief that when we work together, everyone benefits.
Looking Forward with Gratitude
Your feedback provides us with valuable guidance as we continue to enhance your library experience. We are committed to building on these successes and exploring new ways to support your academic journey.
Thank you for being such an engaged and supportive community. We look forward to continuing our partnership in supporting the teaching, learning, and research excellence that defines HKBU.
Wallace Wong
User Experience & Assessment Librarian
Staff Highlights
Long-serving Staff
The Library’s talented staff are central to its Mission. Their expertise, dedication, and creativity drive the high-quality services and partnerships that benefit the HKBU community.
We are fortunate to have many long-serving colleagues among us, including several who received Long Service Awards in June 2025. This month, we highlight three of them. In their own words, they reflect on how they have contributed to the Library’s growth and how HKBU has shaped their journeys.
We are truly grateful for the professionalism and enthusiasm these colleagues, and staff across the Library, bring to their work. Their continued drive to grow and innovate, even after many years, is not only inspiring but also makes a meaningful impact on the HKBU community. We look forward to all they will continue to accomplish.
Bethany Wilkes
Deputy University Librarian
Rebekah Wong, Head of Digital Initiatives & Research
The absolute best part of my job is the freedom to stretch my wings and grow in ways I never imagined. As someone with a bit of an entrepreneurial spark, I thrive on diving into new challenges and soaking up fresh knowledge. Over the years, I have been given some remarkable opportunities to flex my creative muscles, from launching Hong Kong’s very first library app to developing the only grant scheme around in Hong Kong for academics to dive into digital scholarship projects in partnership with the Library. I have also participated in big projects like tendering and managing the university-wide IRIMS system, as well as teaming up with ITO to co-build the Scholarly Works Dashboard and the CDCF (Table 61) Workflow System, powered by IRIMS data. Every day, I return home physically wiped but buzzing with a fulfilled spirit!
Now, I’m enthusiastic about what’s ahead: getting the CollabTech Commons up and running with services! A huge shoutout to my former and current supervisors and teammates—you cheer on my wild ideas and make this journey so much fun! Thank you!
Rebekah Wong
Joyce Chung, Library Officer (User Services)
I am most proud to be part of the Interlibrary Loan team at HKBU Library. When I first joined, I took up Interlibrary Loan duties, and I have seen how our new Rapido system has made it much easier for staff and students to access a wider range of books and articles beyond our collection.
By quickly connecting users with resources from local and overseas libraries, we help them overcome information barriers and support their academic and research needs.
I also assist with citation checking for challenging ILL requests, ensuring users can locate the correct materials for their studies.
It is rewarding to know that this service helps empower our users to achieve their academic goals.
Joyce Chung
Wing Woo, Head of Resource Discovery and Management
I am most proud of my work with the Electronic Access Team (EAT), where I have served since its founding in late 2000. EAT began as a small group of three librarians dedicated to evaluating and acquiring electronic resources for the Library. Over the years, it has evolved into a standing committee chaired by the University Librarian, now comprising five librarians and two support staff. This growth mirrors the rising strategic importance of electronic collections within the Library. I am also pleased to see membership expand, allowing us to draw on diverse expertise and experiences to better serve our community.
Moreover, EAT has collaborated with the seven other JULAC libraries to form electronic resource consortia, where collective bargaining has resulted in significant savings. This cooperation allows all libraries to acquire more resources more effectively.
Today, EAT oversees the complete electronic resource lifecycle, from evaluation and acquisition to usage review, discovery, and access management. These efforts ensure the Library provides seamless, high-quality digital access that supports teaching, learning, and research at HKBU. Contributing to EAT’s growth and achievements has been truly rewarding.
Wing Woo
Professional Growth in Singapore: ELLSSA 2025 Experience
I am grateful to HKBU Library for supporting my participation in the Emerging Library Leaders’ Summer School for Asia-Pacific (ELLSSA 2025) in Singapore from 6-11 July 2025. This intensive program, hosted by Singapore Management University Libraries, brought together library professionals from across the Asia-Pacific region to explore strategic leadership and digital transformation in academic libraries.
Wallace Wong, User Experience & Assessment Librarian
Beyond the formal sessions on AI literacy, user-centred design, and open research, the program provided invaluable networking opportunities and established a mentoring system that will support our continued professional development. One of the program’s highlights was “The Pitch Tank” challenge, where participants presented strategic proposals to mock university leadership panels. I was honoured to receive first place for my user engagement proposal, which reinforced the importance of translating library initiatives into institutional strategic language.
Wallace Wong (Right) with Shameen Nilofar, University Librarian, Singapore Management University
The experience has enriched my perspective as a User Experience & Assessment Librarian, providing new frameworks for turning user research into strategic institutional value. I look forward to applying these insights to enhance our services and support HKBU’s academic mission. The connections made with fellow library leaders across the region will undoubtedly benefit our library’s future collaborations and innovations.
Wallace Wong
User Experience & Assessment Librarian
Doctor of the Book: Course of National Library of China (Beijing)
Did you know that books, just like people, can be “healed” by a doctor? From 18 to 31 August, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a course at the National Library of China (Beijing) Training Center. This course was designed to deepen my understanding of how to care for and restore books in the most gentle and effective ways, helping to extend the life of these precious treasures. I like to think of conservators as “doctors of the book.” Just as a doctor examines a patient, identifies issues, and creates a treatment plan to ensure long-term health, we must do the same for each book in our care.
Many people may think that book conservation is simply about handiwork, but in reality, a strong foundation in chemistry is also essential. During the course, we learned how to safely remove dirt and contaminants from books using methods that minimize harm. Our instructor, Miss Hu Jin, generously shared her extensive personal experience, guiding us through both theoretical knowledge and practical restoration techniques for Western books. I truly appreciated her emphasis that there is no single “perfect” way to conserve a book; instead, we must evaluate each situation carefully and choose the most suitable approach.
One of the highlights of the course was meeting so many passionate professionals from across the field. The opportunity to exchange experiences and insights with classmates was invaluable and not something I often encounter in my daily work.
Rachel Au, Library Assistant (Special Collections & Archives)
I am deeply grateful to our library for supporting my participation in this course. I look forward to applying the precious knowledge I gained to our art and special collections, helping to preserve these irreplaceable items for the future.
Rachel Au
Library Assistant, Special Collections & Archives
Internship at HKBU Library
I had an (oh-not-so-very-formal) internship at the Library.
I graduated last year and am now pursuing a master’s degree in library and information science and I was lucky enough to be able to come back!
I spent a month at the Resources Discovery and Management Cluster and then another at the Special Collections and Archives. Over the span of two months, I participated in various interesting projects, attended the Book Fair, and enjoyed many dim sums, all of which made it a truly rewarding and unforgettable summer. I learnt so much about the technical aspects of a library, and I also had the chance to explore the fascinating world of archives and rare items. Beyond this, it was also a precious opportunity to practice working with a great range of people, which is something that I’ll have to practice even more(!) Overall, it was a wonderful summer of discovery, both professionally and personally.
Thank you to Wing, Jeannette, Becky and Ian, and to all the colleagues for arranging all this for me, and, of course, to Chris for making all this possible!
From left: Ian So, Wing Woo, Bethany Wilkes, Tony Cheng, Christopher Chan, Becky Wu, Jeannette Ma
Tony Cheng
Library Intern 2025
Last updated: 01 October 2025