ABOUT OPEN BOOKS HONG KONG
In a landmark collaboration, the libraries and university presses of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, and The University of Hong Kong have launched Open Books Hong Kong, a pioneering open access initiative, to foster knowledge sharing and bibliodiversity. This is the first open access books programme in Hong Kong.
Through this initiative, a selection of scholarly books published by Hong Kong’s three university presses are released free of charge to the public, demonstrating our commitment to the global open knowledge movement. All included books have gone through the peer review process and adopt a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.
HIGHLIGHTS
As an academic library, CUHK Library works to inspire, inform, and support our university community and society in the broader sense. I am thrilled to see us launch Open Books Hong Kong, an initiative that embodies our commitment to knowledge dissemination and global collaboration. It is a meaningful step towards making the insights of our experts available to a wider public, fostering mutual understanding, and addressing global challenges.
Being “open” means accessibility, receptiveness, transparency, and no restrictions. This initiative will certainly assist learners from different backgrounds to pursue knowledge on an equal basis. We hope to help drive the reach to corners of the world, and we will learn and adapt throughout this exciting journey.
By publishing high-quality titles, City University of Hong Kong Press aims to promote scholarship, enhance knowledge transfer, and disseminate knowledge and creative works to a wide audience. This partnership with local university presses and libraries is an excellent opportunity to make our scholarly works more accessible globally. Our participation in Open Books Hong Kong demonstrates our Press’s community engagement and commitment to sharing knowledge, which benefits academics, researchers, students, and the general public.
In the past, knowledge was kept secret; scrolls and scripts were owned only by the nobility. The advancement in printing technology paved the way for the mass production of books and the dissemination of knowledge. Open Books Hong Kong represents the latest revolution in the opening up of knowledge. I am honored to be part of it.
The launch of this OA platform is an important milestone for the development of Sinophone academic publishing in Hong Kong. It will undoubtedly expand the readership and influence of the partner publishers, in Hong Kong and beyond, allowing authors to connect with more readers. I am honoured that my book has been selected as one of the first batch of titles to be released on this platform.
