Academic library trends in Hong Kong: global and local issues

Abstract

Globally, academic libraries are facing similar changes arising from the impact of technology, changing student demographics and expectations, societal views of education and financial uncertainty to name just a few. The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) statistics of North America are often touted to demonstrate trends in academic libraries and to help paint a picture of possible future scenarios. Other data, especially from surveys of university faculty, administrators and library directors (for example, the Ithaka S+R Reports) also provide readily accessible analyses of the current state of academic libraries as well as viewpoints pertaining to academic library directions. But how relevant are such statistics and reports to the academic library world in Asia and specifically in Hong Kong. The eight institutes of higher learning funded under the University Grants Committee (UGC) of Hong Kong each carry unique perspectives in terms of their teaching and research profiles and priorities. Similarly, each of their libraries are distinctive and carry their own unique priorities and concerns. Utilising collected statistical data over ten years as well as drawing on the results of a recent Hong Kong Library Director survey, this presentation will provide an analysis of trends and possible future directions for Hong Kong academic Libraries.