PRRLA members – About PolyU Library

Established in 1972, the PolyU Library encompasses seven floors and covers 20,878 square meters, with the addition of a new top floor in July 2022. The Library provides over 4,700 seats for both individual and group study, allocating one-third specifically for collaborative learning—the highest proportion among university libraries in Hong Kong. Key features include i-Space, Digital Makerspace, and Studios for accessing emerging technologies and creative tools. Most of its journals and books are available online, facilitating the use of AI-powered tools for the discovery and access of scholarly resources. PolyU Library continually adapts to evolving academic requirements, serving as a learning hub and supporting the university’s pursuit of excellence in education, research, innovation, and societal impact.

Empowering Learning through AI and Digital Transformation

PolyU Library is recognised for its innovative use of AI and emerging technologies, setting a benchmark in academic support and helping both students and faculty enjoy richer learning resources and educational experiences.

• AI-Powered Discover Platform and Academic Search Tools
  PolyU Library provides AI OneSearch Lite discovery platform in addition to a suite of AI-integrated research tools within major scholarly resources. These advanced platforms and tools significantly enhance both the quality and efficiency of academic research by streamlining literature retrieval, recommending relevant articles, and enabling semantic search. Through the utilisation of these AI-powered solutions, students and faculty are empowered to undertake more comprehensive, accurate, and innovative research activities.
  
  
• Enhanced Enquiry Service with AI Chatbot
  The Library has developed an AI Chatbot (LiBot) to efficiently address routine and commonly asked questions regarding library services and resources. LiBot provides 24X7 responses and is accessible via the Library Homepage, Library Mobile App, main service counter, and at the entrance kiosk. The chatbot accommodates both text and voice enquiries in English, Putonghua, and Cantonese, and includes source links to facilitate easy verification.
  
  
• Space for Creative Minds
  

  i-Space provides bookable high-performance computers with cutting-edge software for graphic design, 3D object creation, data analytics, and visualisation. This area also features the Digital Makerspace, which offers staff-assisted services, as well as the self-service Digital Makerspace Plus. Both facilities support students from various disciplines in exploring creative projects using state-of-the-art technologies such as 3D printing, 3D scanning, laser cutting, IoT devices, and virtual or augmented reality platforms. The MakerMindset@i-Space Programme, recognised as an award-winning initiative, promotes equitable access to emerging technologies and provides opportunities for students to engage with industry professionals and experts through practical training sessions and talks.

• AI-Powered Presentation Assessment Tool in the One Button Studios
  The One Button Studios have been upgraded with NinjOrAItor, an advanced AI-powered tool that delivers immediate feedback on English oral presentations. Through practice sessions or recorded videos, students benefit from detailed AI assessments and reports evaluating clarity, content, pacing, facial expressions, eye contact, body language, and pronunciation. This enhanced facility supports the development of effective presentation skills and fosters engaging learning experiences
  

• AI Literacy and User Education
  

  The Library offers workshops, self-paced online courses, and LibGuides to give thorough guidance on using GenAI tools effectively and ethically in research and academic settings. These resources help students and faculty boost both their AI and information literacy skills. By developing these abilities, the Library enables students to excel academically, conduct rigorous research, and successfully incorporate AI technologies into their studies.

• Open Access via Digital Collections Portal
  The Digital Collections Portal demonstrates PolyU’s dedication to digital transformation by providing open access to a wealth of distinctive materials that support learning and research. Highlights include the Digital University Collection that chronicles PolyU’s institutional development through digitised historical records and official publications. The Rare Books on China & East Asia features Western publications from 1704 to 1922, shedding light on how China and East Asia were perceived and studied abroad. The Hong Kong Photography Collection offers a vivid visual record of the city’s architecture, districts, and festivals from the late 1980s to 1990s through digitised slide images. Additionally, it preserves Cheng Kok-kong’s Lyric Manuscript Collection and Oral History Interviews, which illuminate the creative process, career, and lasting influence of one of Cantopop’s most important lyricists. Lastly, the Green Deck Project Development Study highlights PolyU’s engagement with contemporary urban challenges, presenting key research outputs and community engagement materials from an innovative proposal to deck over the Hung Hom Cross Harbour Tunnel Toll Plaza, thereby supporting teaching and research on sustainable city development.

PolyU Library remains steadfast in our vision to be a leader in educational innovation and digital transformation. By adopting new technologies and enhancing services, we empower the university community and aim to inspire excellence while collaborating with the PRRLA network to shape the future of academic libraries.

For more information regarding Hong Kong Polytechnic University Library, you may refer to the website HERE.