Working in Document Supply Service (DSS), we keep asking ourselves how we could make materials more easily available to users. Several new ideas came up during a meeting this summer; two of them have already been turned into actions.

Although our electronic collections are growing fast, print and microform books and journals are still being used frequently. To make access to these "non-digital" materials more convenient, the Library will scan and deliver articles in hard copy upon request from faculty and staff. Starting from October, postgraduates may also use this service. Users can make requests via the HKUST ILLiad system http://illiad.ust.hk/ and documents are usually delivered within one working day. More information is available at http://library.ust.hk/serv/docdel.html.

Another change that came into effect on 1 October was the new overseas ILL fee for photocopies being lowered from HK$60 to HK$30 per article.

DSS will continue to work on the other new ideas, transforming them into services that can bring benefits to our faculty, staff and students.