News & Announcements

We are deeply saddened to inform you of the passing of Dr. Kan Lai Bing, a distinguished graduate, a renowned librarian, scholar, and educator, who served as the University Librarian of the University of Hong Kong from 1983-1999 and continued as Senior Advisor of the University Libraries after her retirement in 1999 until July 2024. She passed away peacefully on September 5, 2024.

Dr. Kan graduated with a B.Sc. from the Science Faculty of the University of Hong Kong in 1957, studied at the University of California (Berkeley) as a Carnegie Scholar and obtained two master’s degrees (M.A., M.L.S.) in 1959.  During the 1960s, 1970s and in later years, she continued her studies and research and earned a PhD degree at the University of Hong Kong as well as other professional qualifications globally.

During the years at HKU Libraries, Dr. Kan introduced major changes to our libraries and enhanced it as a vital learning centre for teaching, research and continuing education.  In addition to being a University Officer, a professional librarian and an administrator, she also had a great interest in academic research which resulted in several books and articles published locally and overseas. Notably, Dr. Kan was also the University Librarian and Director of the University Library System of the Chinese University of Hong Kong from 1972-1983.

In 1997, she was awarded the Honorary University Fellowship by the University of Hong Kong, her alma mater. And in 2001, she was appointed as Senior Consultant by the HKU SPACE, planning and leading their Library and Information Science (LIS) programmes until the end of August 2008.

Dr. Kan continuously developed libraries and librarianship as well as to promote the LIS profession in Hong Kong for more than six decades.  And from 2008-2010, she served on the Library Advisory Committee under the Home Affairs Bureaus of the HKSAR Government, advising on the strategic development of public libraries.

Dr. Kan is a respected mentor, a generous benefactor, and a dear friend to many of us. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends.

Flora Ng
Chief Information Officer & University Librarian
The University of Hong Kong