Power to Librarians
Libraries have been dusting off their association with shelves of books and hushed spaces to embrace new technology, new ideas about learning and a deeper understanding of their role in research. At HKU, the new Director of Library Service/Fung Ping Shan Librarian, Faculty alumna Dr Woo Mei Wa, Esther, has played a central role in that transition.
Dr Woo was closely involved in the modernisation and expansion of library facilities over the past decade, which has included offering a wide variety of open and private spaces and seating types for individual and group learners. In her new role, she will be focusing on outreach across the University and into the community to advance open access to knowledge, support research and collaborate with other units on campus.
“Libraries have many roles to fulfil these days, and we need to explore the needs of our clientele and make the best use of our resources,” Dr Woo said. “We are working hard – people don’t often realise how busy librarians are!”
It is a role for which she is well-prepared. Apart from more than 25 years working at HKU Libraries and a Master’s degree in library science from McGill University, she completed a Doctor of Education degree with the Faculty in 2019, for which she drew on her experiences to examine more closely the impact and learning outcomes associated with different learning spaces. The experience also prepared her for the changing role of academic librarians.
“I chose to do a doctorate because I realised that I needed to polish my research skills. Over the past 10 to 15 years, libraries have gone from providing traditional services like circulation and user services to developing strong teams to support research, especially research data management and analysis. No matter the benefits to my career, I really appreciate the research skills I learnt. I have become more competent in problem-solving and more objective,” she said.
As she settles into her new position, she will oversee ongoing renovation of the Main Library and promote access to the Special Collections and Archives for teaching and other activities while preparing for the 90th anniversary of Fung Ping Shan Library and the 110th anniversary of the University Libraries in 2022.
She is also closely involved in the new University Grants Committee-funded GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums) Lab, which brings together collections and data from across the University to support virtual teaching and learning and digital scholarship.
Dr Woo also supports open access to HKU’s digital copyright-free materials. “Open access is a very important movement for human development. Libraries have a lot of good quality information and resources, and we can help that movement by sharing our copyright-free resources.”
Dr Esther Woo, an Doctor of Education alumna of the Faculty, takes
up her new role and challenges as the Director of Library Services at
HKU, overseeing the ongoing renovation of University libraries and
upcoming anniversary activities.