Evolving Physical Environments in Libraries

The Hong Kong Library Association is proud to work with HKU SPACE to bring you this seminar on Tuesday 29th of March, 7.00-8.00 pm.

Venue:
Lecture Theater 1, 2/F, HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Community College, 66 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Library spaces are changing dramatically as witnessed through the introduction of information and learning commons across the globe.  Technology, changing user habits, revised curricula and modes of teaching and learning, the desire for flexibility within library walls, have all contributed to this trend.

This seminar will focus on two specific examples of these facilities:

Professor Sheila Corrall will give an overview of the Information Commons at the University of Sheffield.  She will also report on her recent research which investigated student perceptions of staff and services in the Information Commons and she will also demonstrate how her findings relate to various US studies based in information/learning commons environments.

Peter Sidorko will briefly outline the plans for 2 major learning commons facilities at the University of Hong Kong, one within the Main Library and the other as a stand alone facility planned for the new Centennial Campus.  He will also outline the reasoning for creating these facilities.

Key Speaker

Sheila Corrall
Sheila Corrall is professor of librarianship and information management at the University of Sheffield. Before that, she spent 13 years managing university library and information services, most recently as director of academic services at the University of Southampton. Before entering higher education, she worked in public libraries and for the British Library.

Her current research interests include library, information and knowledge management strategies; information service structures; professional roles and competences; and strategic aspects of information literacy development. She has published three books and more than 50 articles, and has served on many committees and public bodies. In 2002-2003, she served as the first president of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), and in 2003 she received an International Information Industries Lifetime Achievement Award for contribution to the information profession. (From: An interview with Sheila Corrall, Interview by Margaret Adolphus, http://www.emeraldinsight.com/librarians/info/interviews/corrall.htm).

Other Speaker

Peter E. Sidorko is the University Librarian at the University of Hong Kong and the President of the Hong Kong Library Association.  He has held both positions since January 1, 2011.  Prior to this Peter was the Deputy University Librarian at the University of Hong Kong for nine years.  Peter has been working with his team to develop plans for a major learning commons within the Main Library which will be constructed in the 2nd part of 2011..