HKUST Holds Talk on Library and New Technology

Abstract

[evdate 1999-12-15] For release 13 December 1999

HKUST HOLDS TALK ON LIBRARY AND NEW TECHNOLOGY

How can libraries deal with the new challenges in a network environment? This will be the main theme of a public lecture presented by Prof Ma Yuanliang, Director of the Shanghai Library, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) on Wednesday, 15 December 1999.

The talk is part of the University Library's Fifth Colloquium on Information Science.

Prof Ma will discuss the development of the library profession in terms of its social status, resources, services and professionals from the perspective of a large public library.

As the information technology (IT) revolution accelerates, the library is facing a very severe challenge. "We should view the library profession from the new perspective of globalization. The key issue is to deal with the relationship between traditional and digital libraries," he said.

The majority of libraries are traditional in the sense that they collect mainly printed materials. To establish its position as a globalized library, a traditional library needs to follow the IT trend, and digitize its collections and resources for the benefit of its own users, as well as users all over the world.

On the new role of librarians, Prof Ma points out that they should be knowledge guides for their library's newly organized information databases rather than someone offering a regular document search service and answering general inquiries. Equipped with modern IT knowledge and a systematic understanding of information resources, reference librarians can help the users gain quick access to useful information.

In addition to having an educational background in library science and special subjects, library professionals should be highly competent in computer, communication and network technology.

Details of this public lecture are as follows:

Subject: Colloquium on Information Science: A HKUST Library Series No. 5 Title: How can Libraries Deal with the New Challenges in a Network Environment Speaker:Prof Ma Yuanliang, Director of the Shanghai Library Date: Wednesday, 15 December 1999 Time: 3:30-5 pm (Tea reception at 3 pm) Venue: Chen Kuan Cheng Forum, Academic Concourse, HKUST, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon

Language: English

Note to Editors: The above release can be downloaded at: http www.ust.hk/~webopa/news/1999_News/news1213.html. For enquiries, please contact Ms Alice Ho of the University Library on 2358-6707, or Ms Jacky Tsang of the Office of University Development and Public Affairs on 2358-6306, or email pamedia@ust.hk.