Newsletter No. 10

CUHK Newsletter that this service-oriented philosophy will be welcome in this university. • What in your opinion constitutes an ideal university library? • The answer to this lies partially in my reply to the previous question about the importance of service. I believe one of the fundamental functions of an ideal university library is to serve its users in any way possible. We must realize that it is impossible for any library, however resourceful, to collect all available publications in the world. We must build a network to share resources with other libraries. In short, an ideal university librar y should have an adequate collection that can meet the basic needs of its students and faculty in teaching, learning, and research, while being able to meet the infrequent need for esoteric materials by drawing on the resources of outside collections efficiently. • You studied languages as an undergraduate and we understand that apart from English and Chinese, you've a good command of the Arabic, French, German and Japanese languages. How is this background related to your career as a librarian? • In addition to my master's degree in l i b r a ry science, I have earned a bachelor's degree and a second master's degree in Arabic and Arab studies, and a Ph.D. degree i n Mi dd l e Eastern history. To fulfill requirements for both the master's and Ph.D. degrees, two languages other than English and Chinese were mandatory. For that reason, I took intensive reading courses in French and German to facilitate my research but I only have the reading ability in these two languages. Japanese was also required fo r my studies in Central Asian history at Harvard. Except for Arabic, therefore, which I have not spoken for about 15 years, I cannot claim to be fluent in the other three languages. However, basic reading ability in such foreign languages has helped m e a lot as a librarian i n book selection, cataloguing, and reference service. Knowledge of Arabic and its culture landed me my first administrative position at the University of Utah. I was somewhat proud o f the accomplishment of being the only Chinese to have ever managed that l i b r a ry wh i ch specializes in Middle Eastern studies. Once in Hong Kong I would like t o brush up my Japanese again. • Please tell us what you usually do in your leisure. • In my leisure time, I do a little exercise, such as swimming and basketball, and reading. I love to cook too. New Director of EMSD • Dr. Spencer Dr Wong has been appointed director of the Department of Extramural Studies (EMSD) with effect from 1st August 1990 ， succeeding Prof. Ho Kam-fai who has returned to full-time appointment as professor of social work and chairman of the Social Work Department. Dr. Spencer Wong received the degrees of B.S.Ed and M.Ed. from the University of Oklahoma in 1960 and 1961 respectively, and BA from the University of New Brunswick in Canada in 1962. He then furthered his studies at the University of Edinburgh, UK and ob t a i ned the Diploma in Education in 1963 and his Ph.D. in Adult Education in 1975. Dr. Wong has served in the EMSD since 1967, and was seconded to the School of Education as lecturen'n 1970-71. Dr. Wong is strongly committed to the promotion of adult education. He has been vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Association for Continuing Education since 1975. During his 23 years of service in the EMSD, Dr. Wong has been instrumental in initiating major developments in adult education and developing joint programmes with universities and educational institutions in Canada, Australia and the USA. 3