News & Announcements

Improvement ideas gleaned from the results of 2023 User Survey

Overall responses

We would like to thank all the users who participated in the library survey between 1 and 21 November 2023. A total of 2,181 valid surveys and 926 written comments were received from various disciplines and target groups:

Data analysis

This is the second time we adopted the LibQUAL survey since 2007. The comparative results of 2007 and 2023 indicate that:

• The minimum and perceived overall mean ratings have increased by 5.42% (i.e. from 6.02 to 6.42) and 2.81% (i.e. from 6.74 to 6.93) respectively while the desired mean rating remained almost at the same level (i.e. from 7.55 to 7.51).
• ‘Library as Place’ has surpassed ‘Information Control’ as the library function with the highest minimum (6.50) and desired (7.68) mean ratings, meaning that users have the highest expectation in this area.
• The perceived mean rating for ‘Library as Place’ (6.72) is however lower than that of ‘Affect of Services’ (7.02) and ‘Information Control (7), resulting in a relatively larger gap between its desired and perceived mean ratings (7.68 vs 6.72).

Comparative mean ratings between 2007 and 2023

The top five surveyed areas that show the largest performance gap between desired and perceived mean ratings are:

1. Space for group learning and group study (-1.1 out of 9)
2. Library space that inspires study and learning (-1.08 out of 9)
3. Quiet space for individual work (-0.96 out of 9)
4. A haven for study, learning, or research (-0.73 out of 9)
5. The electronic information resources I need (-0.62 out of 9)

Key areas of concern

The following free form comments with the highest frequency in the survey also echo the findings of the above analysis:

1. Facilities – Insufficient seating (n=269); booking system not user-friendly (n=88); cancellation of hot water dispensers (n=58)
2. Physical environment – Air-conditioning too strong (n=67)
3. Opening hours – Not meeting user needs (n=21) ; need help to navigate in Main Library (15)
4. Collections – Need more resources (n=24) and latest editions (n=17)

To address the performance gaps identified in this survey, we have started exploring/introducing some measures ranging from space and facility transformation, service enhancement, collection review to staff development. Respective library teams are working on action plans with a view to deploying the solutions within the 2024/25 academic year.

Please let us know if you have any questions about the survey by Email a Librarian.

Date: 26 May 2024 (Sunday)
Time: 10:00 to 13:00

Services affected: all those that require user authentication and are inaccessible during the above maintenance period, e.g.

1. MyAccount@HKUL
2. Electronic Resources
3. Book A Space
4. Etc.

Note: searching on Find@HKUL (Library Catalogue), HKU Scholars Hub and Digital Repository@HKUL are not affected.

To manage the high demand for study areas during the revision week and examination period, the Libraries will be implementing limited entry for JULAC Card holders (students only) from other UGC-funded universities.

Affected students are advised to:

1. use the HKALL services or Interlibrary Loan services of your home library.
2. return the materials via our book drop and automated book returns or the JULAC Book Return Service at your home library on or before the due date.
3. arrange the pickup of requested materials before the limited access period or present the pickup notice email to the library staff at the respective service counter during the limited access period.

Regular access to the Libraries will resume after the examination period, starting from 22 May 2024 (Wed). Before visiting, please check the Library Homepage for any service updates and consult the library calendar.

Note: Staff JULAC Card holders can gain access by presenting their card to the counter staff or security guard on duty.

Librarian’s Message re: HKU Libraries supports Open Scholarship 2024

HKU Libraries is dedicated to supporting Open Scholarship, which involves facilitating open access (OA) to research outputs, such as publications, research data, and others. Open Scholarship principles can strengthen research integrity, increase visibility and impact, and advance research for social good.

1. Open Access Article Processing Charge Waivers via Transformative Agreements

An increase of participation of HKU authors’ research publications made open access can be observed. We are happy to continue to support HKU authors with transformative agreements.

In addition to journals by partner publishers under current agreements, from 2024, HKU corresponding authors can enjoy full Article Processing Charge (APC) waivers when publishing OA in The Company of Biologists journals and Springer hybrid journals. Quota is limited and first-come-first-served for Springer hybrid journals.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/openaccess/ta

2. HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund

After the first year of success, the Libraries continues to support HKU authors who hope to make research outputs open access with the HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund.

When publishing in journals beyond the coverage of transformative agreements, current HKU academic or research staff members and postgraduate students can apply for the Fund and enjoy reimbursement for actual expenses up to US$2,000 per article for open access APCs.  Funding is limited and first-come-first-served.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/openaccess/OA-Fund

3. HKU Scholars Hub and DataHub

We also support the infrastructure to enable depositing and disseminating research data and outputs.

HKU researchers (UGC Grade A-I) can deposit manuscripts (preprints or postprints) to the HKU Scholars Hub in order to enhance the visibility of the research, and foster opportunities for collaboration.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/c.php?g=921165&p=6645373

Research data created by HKU researchers and research postgraduate students can be stored in the DataHub. DataHub fully supports the FAIR Principles – Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse of data. It aims to help researchers comply with journal policies and promote transparency and robustness of research.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/researchdata/datahub

The Libraries will continue to support HKU researchers in making research process and outputs open. For enquiries, please Ask-a-Librarian: https://lib.hku.hk/check_form/ask_a_librarian-form/ (To: Open Access).

Best regards,
Flora Ng
Chief Information Officer and University Librarian

Service Affected:

• Book A Space (Facilities Booking System)

Date & Time: 13th Jan 2024, 17:00 to 21:00
Scope: Service is not available during the maintenance period

To manage the high demand for study areas during the revision week and examination period, the Libraries will be implementing limited entry for JULAC Card holders (students only) from other UGC-funded universities.

Affected students are advised to:

1. use HKALL services or Interlibrary Loan services of your home library
2. return the materials via our book drop and automated book returns or the JULAC Book Return Service at your home library on or before the due date
3. arrange the pickup of requested materials before the limited access period or present the pickup notice email to the library staff at the respective service counter during the limited access period.

Regular access to the Libraries will resume after the examination period, starting from 27 Dec 2023 (Wed). Before visiting, please check the Library Homepage for any service updates and consult the library calendar. Thank you for your understanding.

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact us via Email-a-Librarian.

We are pleased to let you know that you will be able to use your HKU Student Card for access to the University Libraries until August 31, 2024.

Notes:

• For updated access policy and service level, please refer to: https://lib.hku.hk/index.html.
• The above shall be eligible for access by graduands of the Class of 2023 with their HKU Student Cards until August 31, 2024.
• The access is eligible to the Year 2023 graduands who have already completed their studies in the following HKU programmes: Undergraduate, Taught Postgraduate, Research Postgraduate, Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma. The list does not include HKU SPACE.
• For those graduands who have lost their HKU Student Cards, they can apply for the Facility Access Card by filling in this form.
• For graduands who will be admitted to the HKU postgraduate programmes, when issued with a new HKU Student Card, their level of facility access as postgraduates will override their “Class of 2023” status.
• Kindly find more details at: https://www.newgrads.alumni.hku.hk/facilities-access-2023

Dear colleagues, students and Libraries patrons,

We have received more reports of excessive downloading incidents recently from our information providers and suppliers of electronic resources (eResources). This would sometimes lead to an access ban on the whole HKU community.

To better tackle the interruption caused by excessive downloading incidents, the Senate Library Committee has passed the below policy against any student, staff member or Libraries patron found to have involved in any excessive downloading or prohibited uses (the Offender) after our investigation: –

1. A one-month access ban will be placed on the first-time offender from using all eResources offered by the Libraries (remote and on campus);
2. The first-time offender has to complete an e-Learning Course on the ethical use of electronic resources with a passing threshold at 80% in one month;
3. A repeat offender (being caught more than once) will be put on a five-month consecutive access ban from all eResources subscribed by the Libraries. The Libraries may consider taking repeat offenders to the Disciplinary Committee for further actions;
4. If the offender is a student, a staff member or any personnel attached to a faculty or a department, the Libraries will serve a letter with details to the respective faculty or department for record or any further action needed.

To avoid any interruption in the course access of eResources to the HKU community, we call for your attention to what leads to excessive downloading or prohibited uses on our thematic page: https://www.lib.hku.hk/general/warning.html.

Your cooperation is key to uphold our reputation. Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,
Flora Ng
CIO and University Librarian

Service affected:

• HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund Application Form
• Online Application Form for HKU Graduate Form
• HKU Staff Spouse / Dependent Children Cards Online Application Form
• HKU SPACE Part-time Staff Borrower’s Card Online Application Form
• HKU SPACE Part-time Student Library Card Online Application Form
• Application to Take Photographs in The University of Hong Kong Libraries Form
• Application for Recording (Video and/or Audio) in The University of Hong Kong Libraries Form
• Research Consultation Appointment Form
• Library Instruction Request Form
• HKUL Circle of Friends Application Form

Date & Time: 25th Mar 2023, 09:00 to 12:00
Scope: Service is not available during the maintenance period

Librarian’s Message re: HKU Libraries supports Open Scholarship

HKU Libraries commits to promoting Open Scholarship, which includes enabling open access (OA) to research publications, research datasets, metadata, along with research workflows and other types of outputs. We believe Open Scholarship principles can strengthen research integrity, increase visibility, and enhance the impact of the University.

1. Open Access Article Processing Charge Waivers via Transformative Agreements

Great news to all HKU authors!

From 1st January 2023, HKU corresponding authors can enjoy full Article Processing Charge (APC) waivers when publishing in Open Access (OA) with three more publishers – IOP Publishing, Portland Press, and Wiley. Quotas are limited and first-come-first-served for Wiley and Hindawi journals, while for IOP Publishing and Portland Press journals, quotas are unlimited. Meanwhile, we will also continue to work with Cambridge University Press and Karger to provide full APC waivers for HKU authors in 2023.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/openaccess/ta

2. HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund

The Libraries also supports HKU authors who publish in open access with other publishers.

Current HKU academic or research staff members and postgraduate students, who will publish with publishers other than the aforementioned ones, can apply for HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund and enjoy reimbursement for actual expenses up to US$2,000 per article for open access APCs.  Fundings are limited and first-come-first served.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/openaccess/OA-Fund

3. HKU Scholars Hub and DataHub

HKU researchers (UGC Grade A-I) can deposit manuscripts (preprints or postprints) to the HKU Scholars Hub in order to enhance the visibility of the research, and foster opportunities for collaboration.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/c.php?g=921165&p=6645373

Research data created by HKU researchers and research postgraduate students can be stored in the DataHub. DataHub fully supports the FAIR Principles – Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse of data. It aims to help researchers comply with journal policies and promote transparency and robustness of research.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/researchdata/datahub

The Libraries will continue to support HKU researchers in applying the principles of openness throughout research. For enquiries, please contact the Learning and Research Services, University Libraries at scholarlycomm@hku.hk.

Best regards,
Flora Ng
Chief Information Officer and University Librarian