The Research Commons on the first floor of the University Library is an area innovatively designed and specifically zoned into a variety of technology-rich spaces with built-in flexibility; providing a suite of resources, facilities and professional librarian help targeted to meet new and changing needs of postgraduate students, researchers and faculty at any point in the research process. These needs are emerging with the growth of interdisciplinary studies, collaborative research and digital scholarship. It is the basis for the next generation library services. The Research Commons provides a Reference Counter, IT zone, discussion area, various types of study rooms, and comfortable and flexible study space and seating. The PCs and notebook computers provided are equipped with software applications. Wireless network and printing are available. Use of the LED screens, and glass and interactive whiteboards for research discussions are encouraged. The Idea Exchange is specially laid out for postgraduates and researchers to meet informally, exchange research ideas across disciplines, and to inspire new research and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Professional librarian support services include research consultations, use of databases and bibliographic management tools, advice on appropriate resources to consult, citation searching, seminar and workshop programs to support scholarly research. Watch out for the coming workshops of Jan and Feb, 2013! Other co-organized learning events including copyright, theses writing, how to conduct research, publishing, etc. and talks will also be held.
For details of the Research Commons and announcement of events, please refer to the Research Commons homepage at http://lib.cuhk.edu.hk/researchcommons/ or the Library Homepage.
