Meeting the challenges of expansion and renovation in an academic medical library: A case study of the Li Ping Medical Library of the Chinese University of Hong Kong

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the challenges encountered in the expansion and renovation of an academic medical library sited in an old teaching hospital administered by a government body, and the lessons learned for improving the future planning of renovation projects of medical libraries.

Design/methodology/approach

The experience of the Li Ping Medical Library of The Chinese University of Hong Kong is used as a case study to illustrate the challenges encountered in various stages from planning to implementation.

Findings

The challenges included funding constraints, space limitations, abbreviated planning time, stakeholder agreements, structural problems of an old building with dated infrastructure and construction restrictions of a hospital environment. Seven tips to improve future planning of renovation are provided.

Originality/value

While many of the challenges are typical in any renovations project, they are only discussed piecemeal in the literature. This article deals with this topic extensively and will interest other medical librarians planning renovations in future.

Citation

Lam, L.M.C. (2006), "Meeting the challenges of expansion and renovation in an academic medical library: A case study of the Li Ping Medical Library of the Chinese University of Hong Kong", New Library World, Vol. 107 No. 5/6, pp. 238-246. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074800610665239