Notes From The Library, Issue No. 5

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October 1991

Pardon our Dust

\Ve have finally opened our doors! As of Thursday, September 26, partial serv-ice is available.

Due to the continuing construction in

the Library, we were irutially not be able to offer the full range of services. The 11edia Resources area ,vas not available for use, the

photo-copy centre needed a bit more work, and our computer labo-ratory continues to await deliv-ery of its equipment.

Please bear with us for the time being. Our staff's

high spirits will more than makeup for the tem-porary defi-ciencies of our facilities.

Media Resources

Whether they are called "instructional media" or "audiovisual matePial," these products have improved greatly since the

16mm films of the 1950s and 1960s.

In the late 1960s, video arrived with 1/2" reel-to-reel black and white programs. The equipment was difficult to operate, and relatively few videos were \\1orthwhile.

The next advance, in the mid 1970s, was the 3/4'' cassette format, which became the standard. Vlhile this format was a distinct improvement to its predecessors, size, high costs and program quality con-tinued to be problems.

With the present 1/2" video, the equip-ment is inexpensive, compact and easy to use. More importantly the quality of in-structional programs has risen as costs have decreased.

continued on page 2

Collection Spotlight -- l\1edia Resources At present, the emphasis of our media

resources collection is the VHS video format, along with some slide sets, com-pact discs, and laser discs.

Unfortunately, our location in Hong Kong presents some complications to making media purchases for the Univer-sity Library:

1. Previewing materials is seldom pos-sible. It is therefore important for faculty

to review their professional literature carefully to ensure that the product is what it claims to be and that it meets their classroom criteria. Respected reviewers can be very helpful. The Library has some reviews that may be helpful, and the Media Resource Librarian can help you find ad-ditional information on titles.

Media - continued from page 1

Nowadays students are used to view-ing, as well as reading and hearview-ing, infor-mation about most subjects. Educational media materials have in many cases be-come an integral part of the academic environment. Whatever the subject ... history, science or management,

these resources can add a valu-able dimension to the educa-tional process. Media allows us

Spotlight -continued from page 1

2. Since most of our purchases are

from the United States, the time lag

be-tween ordering and receiving items is sig-nificant. Early requests will help us meet your deadlines.

3. While our opening collection is lim-ited in size) it will develop into a fine collection in time. Some titles presently on order are:

1. Against All Odds

Hosted by Dr. Teresa Amabile of Brandeis University, this series of videos unlocks the mysteries of statistics. Shows how statistical processes can be used to answer significant inquiries.

2. Cell Biology

Enter the world of the living cell: plant, animal and protist. Offers a detailed look at the cytoplasm, nucleus and plasma membrane in action. Produced by Bill Walker Productions> Incorporated.

3- Smithsonian World

Examines the ideas, values and arte-facts that shape our modem world. Pro-files the people, places and events that influence the world we live in and

identi-fies the critical issues we will face in the

future.

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to bring the world and all its wonders into the classroom.

The Media Resource Department pro-vides well-equipped viewing carrels and small group viewing rooms for the use of the collection. The collection is open for browsing and circu-lation. Faculty may place media materi-als on reserve or show them in the classroom.

4-Doing Business in Asia

Host Yue-Sai Kan presents case studies of successful and not-so-successful for-eign ventures that offer valuable insights into the arts and risks of doing business in Asia. Serves as a practical guide for under-standing diverse Asian cultures, social customs and business customs.

5- The Mechanical Universe and Beyond

These acclaimed programs explain and illustrate principles of physics in a creative and entertaining manner. Produced by the California Institute of Technology.

6-A World of Ideas with Bill Moyers

Journalist Bill Moyers interviews world famous scientists, writers, artists, philoso-phers, and historians to explore the values shaping our future.

7-The Brain

These Peabody Award-winning pro-grams explain and illustrate the operation of the brain.

8-Two Fires Inside China

Offers a look at the Cultural Revolu-tion of the People's Republic of China and its impact on China today. Shows how China has emerged from a period of chaos

Spotlight -continued from page 2

and asks how China will proceed. Pro-duced by Peter Gettinger.

9- The World of Chemistry

The foundation and behaviour of chemical structures are explored. Magni-fies the minute chemical building blocks of all matter. Produced by the University of Maryland.

10- Climate and Man

Provides a framework for understand-ing the most potent threats facunderstand-ing the earth today - the greenhouse effect, ozone layer depletion, rain forest destruction, acid rain and global warming. Produced by Vision Group in association with Cameras Con-tinental for L WT

These are just a few of many excellent programs available for your use.

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Library E-Mail Addresses

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Long-Life Print Head

Circulation Statistics

As of 21 October, 3,083 library ma-terials were checked out. On average, each borrower had checked out 4.8 items. Faculty borrowers averaged 7 .0, graduate students averaged 8.1, undergraduate stu-dents averaged 3.9, staff averaged 3.7, and other borrowers averaged 3.9.

48 borrowers had between 11-20 items checked out. Only 10 borrowers had more than 20 items checked out.

Staffing Changes

Several months ago the Library stopped recruiting additional staff because of limitations on the 13th floor of the World Shipping Centre. Now that we have moved to our spacious new quarters in Clear Water Bay, our staff has increased by about 50%. Staff training is a constant part of the Library program, aiming to best serve the needs of HKUST's users.

Please use the following e-mail addresses for questions relating to specific library operations:

LIBRARY -for general suggestions or comments.

LBACQ -ACQuisitions

LBCIRC -CIRCulation

LBCOLL -COLLection Development

LBILL -futer-Library Loan

LBREF -REFerence

LBRSRV -ReSeRVe

Library Without Walls:

Expanded Access to Library Materials

Some faculty members have asked about the acquisition of journal back files. How does a new library cope with not owning many early years of bound journals? In the past, a library would usually obtain these journals in microform, as funds permitted. But, more usefully, advances in informa-tion technology and telecommunicainforma-tions enable us to pro-vide our users with access to more titles than any single library could ever own.

In addition to loading indexing and abstracting databases onto the library system, the Library has installed a CD-ROM LAN, which will greatly expand the number and variety of databases available. The Library is also connected to Dialog online services and OCLC, the largest bibliographic database in the world. Inter-library borrowing and document delivery arrangements with academic libraries in Hong Kong and overseas, and with ISI's Genuine Article, Ul'vll's Article Clearing House, and the British Lending Library provide support. Plans are also underway to establish access to other university online catalogs and databases through the futernet.

While we are not routinely acquiring earlier volumes of journals, as we become aware of important exceptions, we may purchase some back files on microform.

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Library Policies

I

Library Photocopiers

Card-operated self-service photocopiers are available on each level of the Library.

Users may obtain a reuseable copier card

from the card dispenser located on floor LG 1.

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Reusable payment card for Flexicard controlled equipment within the Library.

Several people have asked about the Library's policies, on everything from how many books can be checked out to what the Library hours will be during examination periods and holidays. This is a new University, and the Library's policies are undergoing constant evaluation and refinement. We want these policies to best meet your needs.

Utilize the Library's resources to accomplish your academic goals. For everyone's benefit, borrow only books that you are going to u.se, and return them to the Library as soon as you have

finished with them. If a book you need is already

charged out by someone else, please request that Circulation recall the book for your use. Library materials are there to be used. With courtesy and consideration for other users, everyone can be accommodated.