Academic Library Leadership Issues and Challenges: An Informational Interview with Peter Sidorko, Librarian of the University of Hong Kong

Abstract

Founded in 1911 during the British Colonial era, with the aim of competing with the other Great Powers opening universities in Mainland China, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is the oldest tertiary institution in Hong Kong. Supporting the learning, teaching and research needs of the whole University community, the HKU Library is set up with the commitment to develop and deliver a wide range of resources and services dedicated for engaging the users in the efficient use of library resources in all formats. It was the commitment to promoting a strong intellectual environment and IT infrastructure in libraries that brought Peter Sidorko to the HKU Library over 13 years ago. A seasoned librarian with an established career of working in libraries throughout Australia, Peter Sidorko was hired in 2001 as the Deputy Librarian for HKU before becoming the current University Librarian in 2011. In his current position, Peter Sidorko oversees HKU's library network, comprised of one Main Library and six other subject branches that serve a student population of over 27,000. In the following interview, Peter Sidorko discusses the ways in which he uses his participative management style to work closely with staff and faculty in supporting the unique academic environment at HKU. Furthermore, he speaks about the deep collaboration with other university libraries in Hong Kong through organizations such as JULAC (Joint University Librarians Advisory Committee), and other services like HKALL (Hong Kong Academic Library Link). He also openly discusses the current challenges facing the field and the promising goals of supporting the unique collections that have made HKU a world-renowned academic institute.