Getting to Know HKLA Fellows 2025
Sita Lee Yuet Yu. My current position is Assistant Principal/Head of Library/Teacher Librarian at the Tak Nga Primary School
Q. Why did you become a librarian?
A: My starting point is very lucky – through the school secretary to help the application, from the library assistant in an academic library. I was assigned responsible for acquisition books and liaison of the lecturers instead of shelving books. The arrangement is very crucial; it lets me exposure to the construction of the core resources of the library. Cultivation and coordination of internal and external communication. Also, I focused on needing careful and focusing on logistics. Because of interest, I keep further education and learn libraries and information technology. One step I go from “Library Assistant” to the core turn of the “professional librarian”. Through ongoing studying and learning, I achieved my first Degree and Master in professional theory and emerging technologies in librarianship, and lay the roads for my professionalism. The first professional librarian position was in one of the university libraries, served as Digital Archives Section Head.
Q. What’s the best part of your job?
A: The best part is the alchemy of transforming a need into a resource. It begins at my desk—sourcing the perfect book, liaising with a professors /researcher, or ensuring a text is flawless. My satisfaction comes from knowing this precise work creates a silent ripple effect. A student finds their thesis cornerstone, a clinician accesses the latest research, a curious mind discovers a new world. I am a link in that chain. To keep learning and ensuring that behind every inquiry is a precise, reliable answer—that is the profound privilege of this work. It’s why I love this library industry.
Q. Can you share the most memorable moment in your career as a librarian?
A: One of my unforgettable experiences was the trade-offs between career and life values. I made not only successfully changed career paths but also found a balance between family and self-actualization. I faced a difficult choice: continue pursuing a professional path in academic libraries, or make a change for my family? Ultimately, I chose the latter. I transited from a university librarian to the school librarian. This wasn’t just a change in work environment, but a complete shift in mindset—from serving scholars and researchers to supporting teachers and igniting students’ passion for reading. To better integrate into the educational environment, I pursued and obtained a teacher’s qualification, successfully transitioning into a ‘Teacher-Librarian.’ Now, I am not only a library manager but also a member of the education team, directly involved in students’ learning journeys.
Q. What is the most important trend we will see in the next 5 years in school/ academic/ special/ public libraries (please answer about your library sector)?
A: The rise of AI presents a paradigm shift for teacher librarians. A core challenge is navigating AI literacy and ethical use, teaching students to critically evaluate AI-generated information and understand its inherent biases. Simultaneously, the very nature of information literacy is evolving; librarians must move beyond source evaluation to analyzing AI outputs and processes. Furthermore, the proliferation of generative AI tools raises profound questions about academic integrity, demanding the creation of new assessment frameworks that emphasize process over product. There is also the risk of widening the digital divide if equitable access to these powerful tools is not ensured. Ultimately, the teacher librarian’s role is being redefined from information gatekeeper to essential guide in a complex, AI-augmented information landscape, requiring advocacy to remain central to the school’s learning ecosystem. This necessitates urgent, ongoing professional development
Q. What is one thing you want other librarians to know about school/academic/ special/ public libraries (please answer about your library sector)?
A: As a Teacher Librarian, I wear two hats—educator and information specialist. We are not merely managing books; we are curating minds. Our mission is to bridge curriculum needs with intellectual curiosity, creating a space to meet students’ personal discovery. My Unique Roles are collaborating with teachers to design resource-based learning units, integrating information literacy across subjects and applying teaching research skills that align with Hong Kong’s educational framework. On the other hand, I create bilingual collections reflecting both our cultural heritage and global perspective, organizing reading programs that celebrate both Chinese and English literature, and fostering a lifelong love for reading in multiple languages is also very important issue.
Q. Congratulations on becoming a Fellow. What does HKLA mean to you?
A: Being named a Fellow of the Hong Kong Library Association is a profound honor, and one I accept with deep gratitude. To me, HKLA has always been more than an association—it is the cornerstone of our professional community in Hong Kong. It connects us, advocates for our values, and elevates the role libraries play in fostering an informed, literate, and inclusive society. This recognition is not just a personal milestone; it is a testament to the collaborative spirit of all the colleagues, mentors, and institutions I’ve had the privilege to work with. Receiving this fellowship reinforces my commitment to our profession’s future. It deepens my resolve to contribute to HKLA’s mission—whether through mentoring the next generation, championing innovative library services, or advocating for the vital role of libraries in our community. I see this not as an endpoint, but as a renewed call to action. I am excited to continue working alongside my fellow members to navigate the evolving landscape of information and literacy, ensuring Hong Kong’s libraries remain dynamic and essential spaces for all.
Q. Any other messages you want to share with HKLA members?
A: Our dual role is demanding but profoundly meaningful. We are simultaneously anchors and sails—grounding students in knowledge while helping them explore new horizons. The challenges are real, but so is the profound satisfaction when we see students transformed by what happens in this space we steward. We are not just keepers of books; we are cultivators of minds, guardians of curiosity, and bridge-builders between tradition and innovation. In a world flooded with information, we teach discernment. In a fast-paced society, we offer spaces for contemplation. In an increasingly digital age, we honor the tactile joy of books while preparing students for digital futures. This is our calling—exhausting, exhilarating, and essential. Let’s work together to cultivate the next generation of lifelong learners.