(12 May 2026) Reimagining the library lies at the heart of the work of Benjamin Meunier, university librarian at the Chinese University. Having overseen operations at the University College London Library in the United Kingdom for over 16 years, Meunier brings extensive experience in the strategic development of libraries to Hong Kong, where he also serves as vice chair of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau University Libraries Alliance and chair of the Pacific Rim Research Libraries Alliance Steering Committee.
“The number of loans of print books has been steadily declining for the last 20 years,” Meunier observed at CUHK. “The footfall in libraries, however, has been steadily increasing. So even though people are not coming into the library to borrow books as much as they used to, people are still coming into the library. That’s an interesting concept, because many people think libraries are doomed as people don’t read books anymore.”
Why do people go to libraries if not to borrow books? A case study of UCL Library may edge us closer to the answer. “In 2019, we opened the UCL Student Centre, which is a six-story building with a thousand study spaces and zero physical books,” Meunier recounted.
“Two days after the opening, it was full – completely full.”
For Meunier, the key takeaway is this: “Learners crave places that are inspiring, and where you can feel you’re a member of a community. Libraries have the ability to provide inspiring environments open to everyone, regardless of background. When people feel they’re part of a community of learners, even if they’re studying by themselves, they feel part of a wider endeavor.”
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