In the second of our series of blog posts where we catch up with HK Libraries Connect founders that have left Hong Kong, Kayo introduces us to her life in Sri Lanka under lockdown!
Read MoreHK Libraries Connect - Where are they now??? Part 2: Kayo!
HKLC Contributor Profile
HK Libraries Connect - Where are they now??? Part 1: Chloe!
In the first of our series of blog posts where we catch up with HK Libraries Connect founders that have left Hong Kong, Chloe gives us the lowdown on what she’s been doing since relocating to sunny Montreal!
Read MoreHKLC Contributor Profile: Kayo
Hello! I am Kayo, and I am currently the Head Librarian at SCAD Hong Kong. SCAD is an American art and design university and the Hong Kong location opened its doors to students in 2010. I have been working at SCAD since 2014.
I received my MLIS from University of Alberta in 2008, and since then, I've been working internationally. My first job was at a women's college in Dubai, then I headed off to Bahrain to build a library in a Polytechnic. A year and a half after the Arab Spring kicked off in Bahrain, I found myself in Hong Kong. It's hard to believe that a gypsy like myself could last living in one place for this long.
As a librarian, my main fixations are outreach and special collections. I hosted a 24-hour zine making challenge at SCAD to draw students to the library. I am also building a zine and artist book collection for SCAD Hong Kong's special collections. It's been super fun meeting local artists, scouring different bookshops and art spaces, attending events and buying fun, quirky pieces made by some talented artists based in Hong Kong. Since I am the only teaching librarian at SCAD, I am responsible for providing instruction to our students. I like to use unconventional methods to get students to become information literate. I will be very interested in exchanging notes about what you are doing in the classrooms!
Other than library stuff, I love cats and books, especially comic books (I know, I am a walking cliche). One of the best parts about my job is that I get to buy comic books for the students, and usually get the first dibs when they come in. When not in the library or talking to other people about libraries, I can be found diving with my husband Derek at some beautiful tropical getaway.
This is Dewey and I. I found Dewey Punk Pickles on the street during my first week in Dubai.
HKLC Contributor Profile: Chloe
Writing a coherent self introduction is a lot harder than I thought! Instead, I have decided to make a list of 10 facts about myself in the order of whatever that came to mind [after all, librarians love making lists ;)]:
1. Getting involved in HKLC has been a very exciting step for me in my relatively short professional journey. It's a great feeling to be involved in starting something new and fresh.
2. I have been working in Hong Kong for a little over 3 years as an academic librarian. I feel very fortunate to be working in a great team of talented and dedicated people.
3. My favourite things in Hong Kong are: mini buses (a thrilling experience to be on one!) and Cha Chaan Teng (the menu options are just limitless!).
4. I have developed this habit of at least visiting a library or two whenever I go travel. The big advantage is that usually there would be no lineup, unlike other popular tourist spots! I hope to share some of these amazing libraries that I have visited on the HKLC blog =)
5. Like many of my fellow librarians, I get very frustrated about explaining exactly what I do as a librarian, but now, I see it as a chance to advocate about my profession whenever the opportunity comes!
6. I use way too many exclamation marks whenever I write. I already tried to tone it down a bit in this self introduction.
7. I love being a librarian, but I also think it's very important to strike a balance between work and life. In order to work hard and play hard, I think the key is to have kick-ass time management skill.
8. I am a very curious individual. I love learning and trying new things. I think this curiosity serves me well as someone working in the fast-changing information field.
9. My professional interests include: emerging technology, library marketing, information literacy, and digital humanities.
10. Coffee or Tea? It's a tough choice but I'd say I am a little more on the tea side. My current favourite drink is chamomile tea with honey!
HKLC Contributor Profile: Jo
My name is Jo and I am a Subject Librarian at CityU HK. I arrived in Hong Kong in December 2014, and I still feel very new to the library scene here. In fact, I feel new to the library scene in general, having graduated from my Masters program in 2012.
Before coming to Hong Kong I lived in a small coastal town in Northern NSW (population around 600 people), and I worked at Bond University Library near some of the famous beaches of the Gold Coast. Adjusting from small town life to big city living has been enormously challenging and rewarding, but I am enjoying the ride - and HKLC is part of the fun!
I am really excited to be part of HKLC because I am keen to meet new people and chat about library work - and whatever other interests we have in common! (For your reference: old Hollywood films, young adult fiction and Japanese game shows.) A great thing about talking to other librarians is that you can share your passions for (and frustrations with!) library work, but also have your perspectives broadened by meeting people from outside your own sector or role. I also hope to form some collaborative partnerships to create new things - events, projects, maybe even published articles or conference presentations!
My library interests: there are many, but the main ones are customer service, information/digital literacy, and research support for humanities and the arts - but I love being introduced to new things!
