IRENE FUNG EDUCATION LIBRARIAN New Premises: A Renewed Collaborative HKU Education Library Experience

Education Library at a Glance Education Library at the University of Hong Kong has been serving the academic community since 1978:  1978 – 84 Main Library  1984 – 2012 Runme Shaw Building  2013 – Meng Wah Complex 2

Early Days 1978 – 1984 Situated on 6/F of Main Library Teaching Methods Library and Teaching Aids Room 3

Changes in Past Three Decades 1984 – 2012 Moved to 4/F, Runme Shaw Building In 2010, concept of learning commons adopted 1980s 2010s 4

New Collaboration 2013 – Relocated to 8/F, North Wing of Meng Wah Complex Designed and operated in a renewed collaboration with the Faculty of Education 5

What Prompted the Move? Education Library integrated into Faculty’s 3-year plan To be in closer proximity to our key users from these divisions:  Chinese Language & Literature  English Language Education  Speech & Hearing Sciences 6

New Location: Convenience to Users Faculty of Education’s 3-year plan Phase 1: Jan 2013 Phase 2: Jan 2014 Phase 3: Jan 2015 Education Library Speech and Hearing Sciences Chinese Language & Literature Learning, Develop. & Diversity Speech and Hearing Sciences Faculty & research offices Speech and Hearing Sciences English Language Education Learning, Develop. & Diversity Classrooms 4/F 5/F 6/F 7/F 8/F 7

Challenges at a Glance Much collaboration and discussion had to take place to overcome some challenges:  Structural limitation  Reduction in print collection  Human factors 8

Challenge: Structural Limitation Former Council Chamber Floor at various levels  Low ceiling in certain areas  Identify desirable area for print collection  Accessibility for users 9

Response to Structural Limitation Key collaborating parties Library administration Architects Faculty of Education Estates Office Project managers Key collaborating parties Library administration Architects Faculty of Education Estates Office Project managers 10 Levels split at the new library Book area 30cm higher than other areas Ramp for users with special needs Book Area

Challenge: Reduction in Print Collection Reduction by 47% Space for books diminished  From to linear m. of shelving space Relegation needed  Relegated items accessible via library catalogue 11

Response to Reduction of Print Collection Key collaboration parties Library divisions including  Lending services  Storage team Faculty Library Committee Key collaboration parties Library divisions including  Lending services  Storage team Faculty Library Committee 12 Books for the new library Popular books and resources selected Less used items transferred to storage Gift & exchange

Challenge: Human Factors 13 Renovation covered under Faculty’s 3-year plan funding Increased complexity in decision making Management of facilities Access control Classroom & discussion room booking Technical support & maintenance

Response to Human Factors 14 Active communication horizontally & vertically Management of facilities Library manages:  Discussion room booking Faculty manages:  Classroom booking  Access control Shared responsibility:  Technical support & maintenance Key collaborating parties Library administration Faculty of Education Estates Office Project managers Key collaborating parties Library administration Faculty of Education Estates Office Project managers

Sailing into the New Era Be visible Enhanced communication for greater visibility 15

Sailing into the New Era Be visible Be versatile Flexible arrangements 16

Sailing into the New Era Be visible Be versatile Be connected Resources | Fellow students | World of knowledge 17

Stepping Forward … Continuous enhancement of facility & accessibility More effective use of classroom More engaging use of rooftop garden 18

Thank you!