Library Strategies for Meeting the Learning Needs of Fine Arts Students in the 21st Century: The Experience of New Asia College Ch'ien Mu Library of the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Being the only university to adopt a college system in Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong has at present nine constituent colleges, one of which is New Asia College. Compared to the other colleges, New Asia College has strong emphasis on the arts and humanities in general and on the traditional Chinese culture in particular. The Ch’ien Mu Library of New Asia College houses an extensive collection of fine arts to support the academic curriculum of the Department of Fine Arts located in the same campus of the College. In terms of the library collections, facilities and services, this paper discusses the strategies adopted by the Library in providing user-centered library services in order to meet the learning needs of the fine arts students. Apart from analyzing the subject coverage and the usage activities of the fine arts collection, the author introduces the Local Arts Archive –a physical collection of Hong Kong art material –as well as a recently launched Hong Kong Visual Arts Archive –an online searchable database on visual arts information in Hong Kong –developed by the Library. Aiming to facilitate the learning process of the fine arts students, the Library provides a physical exhibition space to showcase the art works of the students inside the library building. These student exhibitions are widely publicized through traditional and social networking tools set up by the Library. To further enhance student learning, the Library launched orientation seminars for the first year fine arts students of both undergraduate and MA postgraduate programs starting from the 2011/12 academic year.