CUHK Library E-newsletter

With the donation of books and research materials from Professor Wai-luen Lo (Xiao Si), CUHK Library established the Hong Kong Literature Collection in 2002 by creatively linking researchers' personal collections with the Library's resources. Over the years, the Library has continuously received generous donations from various authors, scholars and the general public. At present, the collection contains more than 40,000 volumes that include books and literary periodicals of the New Literature published in Hong Kong in the early 20th century, as well as manuscripts, letters, photos, awards and prizes donated by writers.

To accommodate the growing collection and valuable donated items, the Hong Kong Literature area on 1/F University Library was expanded in the summer of 2021. The newly expanded and renovated area serves as a hub, providing more space to showcase literary works of contemporary authors as well as exhibits covering the history and development of Hong Kong literature.

There are four zones in the new Hong Kong Literature Hub. Special collections such as first and rare editions, named collections, thirty-cent novels, and autographed books can be found in the closed stack area, while the exhibition zone displays rare books, important literary periodicals, manuscripts, and personal items donated by literary writers. The multimedia zone features the development of the Hong Kong Writers and Artists Biographical Database, Hong Kong Literature Database, and digital tabloids, manuscripts, letters, and literary publications, among others. The study area is equipped with flexible furniture to accommodate literary activities. The whole area has been transformed into a modern literature hub that supports learning and research of Hong Kong literature.

To mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Literature Collection, an exhibition “Archiving Hong Kong Literature” which showcases more than 100 selected items from Hong Kong literary history is being held at the University Library from now until 31 December 2022. The exhibition is linked by the idea of “archives” to encourage visitors to think about the trace-leaving and preservation of literature in daily life.

Come to explore the new Hong Kong Literature Hub and the exhibition now!

Related Links:

Hong Kong Literature Collection @YouTube - https://youtu.be/zDnMLqaiRP0

Hong Kong Literature Database - https://hklit.lib.cuhk.edu.hk

Hong Kong Writers and Artists Biographical Database - https://hkbdb.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/en/

Archiving Hong Kong Literature exhibition - https://www.lib.cuhk.edu.hk/en/about/news/spc-20th