This paper aims at examining the major trends in electronic resource development to academic libraries in Hong Kong. Due to technology advancement, the habits of library patrons in using library materials have changed, in particular, due to the ubiquity of smart devices and mobile networks. Moreover, with the decreasing costs of digital assess storage, related technologies and human labor requirement, digitization of electronic resources have been developed rapidly. As such, users' expectations have shifted in the past decade, particularly for research and scholarship, because digital records and electronic materials have become easier and convenient to access in a 24/7 environment. In this study, we investigate these changes of academic libraries in the format of resources (tangible or intangible), purchasing types (ownership versus access), and acquisitions options ("just-in-case" acquisitions or "just-in-time" acquisitions). We also examine issues accompanying these technological shifts, including library policies, copyright, budget, and consortial collaboration among academic libraries. This study identifies the drivers of evolution, influences, changes in academic libraries, common threats, and opportunities, along with the future role of academic libraries through an analysis of data collected from literature and interviews with practitioners.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how the emergent 3D interactive media technologies are used as a viable tool for enhancing visitors’ overall experiences at an exhibition entitled, 300 Years of Hakka Kungfu – Digital Vision of Its Legacy and Future (Hakka Kungfu Exhibition) – presented and co-organized by the Intangible Cultural Heritage Office of Hong Kong, International Guoshu Association and the School of Creative Media, City University of Hong Kong. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey in both online and paper-based formats was used for identifying visitors’ experiences in the interactions with the multimedia technologies. For this research study, a questionnaire, consisting of 26 items, was set out to measure the visitors’ experiences at the Exhibition. Since the Exhibition was about presenting a centuries-old Chinese cultural heritage, Hakka Kungfu via the use multimedia technologies, in the context of establishing a dialogue between the past and present, the researchers included questionnaire items that were devoted to enquire about the level of understanding, knowledge and enjoyment, and visitors’ new knowledge about Hong Kong history and culture was successfully disseminated to the respondents at the end of the questionnaire. Findings A total of 209 completed questionnaires were collected at this Hakka Kungfu Exhibition. The findings reveal that the exhibits did attract people at all ages. This Exhibition gave the visitors a sense of interest and wonder in the object and information presented in the Exhibition. Findings of this study also reveal that this Exhibition has successfully attracted a large number of female visitors, as well as visitors who have never taken any martial arts training. In addition, visitors’ Exhibition experience was found to be memorable, as well as enjoyable. Furthermore, visitors’ experience within the Exhibition suggested that it was entertaining, as well as educational. By creating a long-lasting impact on the minds of these Exhibition visitors about the connections between and relevance of traditional Chinese Kungfu, their collective cultural identity, as well as the contemporary society we live in. The Exhibition exemplified the successful integration of the presentation of Kungfu as a form of cultural heritage with engagement-creating technology, in which technology is unobtrusive but effective. Originality/value Although it is already a global trend for the museums to integrate multimedia technologies into their exhibitions, research on the situation and feedback of multimedia technology used in the museum exhibitions in Hong Kong is scarce as well as scattered. Findings of this study could help identify various factors involved in audience participation, thereby exploring the possibility of building a contact point/space for traditional Chinese Kungfu as an intangible cultural heritage, via the integration of the latest media technologies. In particular, the development of multimedia technologies has become increasingly important to museums, and museum professionals have been exploring how digital and communication technologies can be developed to offer visitors a more interactive, personalized museum experience. In general, despite the growing interest in deploying digital technology as interpretation devices in museums and galleries, there are relatively few studies that examine how visitors, both alone and with others, use new technologies when exploring the museum contents.

Purpose-This paper is to explore art and design students' use of smartphones for accessing library services and learning at the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI). Design/methodology/approach-A questionnaire survey involving 51 HKDI students was conducted to examine the students' utilization of apps and the Internet on mobile devices to find information for the purpose of academic learning, social networking, and collaborative learning. Findings-Survey results showed that while the HKDI students were all smartphone owners and active users of such mobile communication devices, only a minority of them "frequently" use these mobile devices for formal learning purposes. They demonstrated a keen preference to use search engines, social communications, and other diverse use of smartphones. Except for research and image/audio-visual needs, the rest of their needs and usage behaviour is similar to mainstream university students. Practical implications-The results suggests opportunities for the libraries to develop services and facilities that could better fulfil students' information needs, and to improve the network coverage outside the library. Originality/value-This is probably the first study of its kind to explore art and design students' use of smartphones for learning needs. In particular, the recent capability of smartphones and mobile Internet speed are comparable with desktops, it is vital to reexamine the much changed environment and user needs.

The pathway to a career in the Library and Information Science field is rarely straightforward and unidirectional, but is often multi-faceted, with many circuitous detours along the way. There has been an increasing number of second-career in LIS emerging from many other non-LIS-related professions over the years. Many of these newcomers have made significant contributions to the LIS profession as they transfer their years of professional experiences, expertise, knowledge and skills from their former careers into the field. The purpose of this paper is to understand the perceptions and perspectives of the LIS students, and the various factors that influenced these midlife graduate students to consider switching from their current occupations to LIS as a second career.

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