CIO & University Librarian's Message

One month has passed since the Term started, and I hope all our staff and students have a chance to visit the Library, and learn more about the Library services, facilities and workshops.

The Library is thrilled to welcome all new and returning students and staff, who have already been filling our space rapidly. It is exciting to see so many students diligently immersed in their learning and research at the commencement of the term, and love using the variety of facilities we offer. This year, we are excited to have a record high of over 5,000 new students. Aware of their increasing demand for space, we have updated our policy to allow students to reserve individual and group study rooms.

During the quieter period in summer, my colleagues worked tirelessly to enhance our facilities. The Computer Room has been installed with acoustic materials to achieve better audio quality for seminars and events held there. We are also planning to install IoT (Internet of Things) devices to monitor the internal environment of the Library, such as temperature and humidity, to create a cosier and more inviting learning space for all of you! A new entrance gate with a more advanced design will also be available soon. These are a few highlights; many more will be coming soon.

To cope with the installation of the new School of Data Science in May 2024 and the offering of more academic programs in data analytics, AI, machine learning, smart cities, etc., the Library has significantly expanded our collections in these areas, thanks to the generous allocation of funding by the University. We are also committed to supporting our researchers by utilizing Lingnan Scholars' data to enhance their research impact and to prepare for the upcoming RAE2026.

I am delighted to have met many of you during the Official Welcome, Postgraduate Orientation and New Staff Orientation, and I am grateful for the encouraging compliments received. I hope you will enjoy reading about the diverse services and facilities of the Library as reported in this issue of Library Matters.