Dr. (Helen) Hong Xu, University Librarian at Duke Kunshan University (DKU) and Associate University Librarian for Duke Kunshan University Library Services at Duke University, will be leaving DKU in the end of February, 2025, after 10 years of service. Dr. Xu will start a new position as the University Librarian at the University of Macau.
On February 17, 2025, a farewell party was held at the Visitor Center as a tribute to Dr. Xu, the founding librarian of DKU. Dr. Andrew Yanqing Lee, Associate Librarian for Research and Instruction, moderated the event.
Dr. Yaolin Liu, Chancellor of DKU, opened the tribute by recognizing the excellent leadership and significant contributions of Dr. Xu in building the library collections and services and especially in leading the design of the Phase II library building, which is recognized by a LEED-Gold certification.
“Helen’s leadership has been pivotal in the completion of the new library building,” said Chancellor Liu. “She oversaw the entire design and construction process of the Phase II library, transforming the DKU library from a small reading room into a campus landmark.”
Chancellor Liu also emphasized Dr. Xu’s efforts in enhancing not only global partnerships with Duke University and other global institutions, but also community engagement by organizing a vast variety of events and celebrating local cultures such as Kunqu Opera.
“(Helen’s) time at DKU has been defined by innovation, dedication, and a steadfast commitment to creating a vibrant academic community,” said Chancellor Liu.
Scott MacEachern, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs of DKU, traced back to 2017 when he joined DKU and found the library “a vibrant center of activities.” Impressed by the initiatives and hard work by Dr. Xu and the Library staff, MacEachern recognized the team’s efforts in creating more capabilities of DKU Library in the past decade of challenges and changes.
“DKU’s lost is the University of Macau’s gain,” said MacEachern.
Mengjie Zou, Research and Instruction Librarian and the first staff of DKU Library, shared with the guests some memorable moments in daily work with Dr. Xu, transforming together DKU Library to the current 12,000 square-meter building from two small team rooms on campus.
“Close friends remain neighbors, even across the seas (海内存知己，天涯若比邻),” Zou said on the vast network Dr. Xu has brought to DKU. “As part of her legacy, she leaves behind a culture of collaboration, care, and excellence that will continue to thrive.”
Dr. Xu received a plaque from Pauline Liu, Senior Director for Human Resources, in recognition and appreciation of her devotion to DKU. Dr. Xu thanked the colleagues for the years full of “challenges and charms,” remembering the vision and efforts in building a world-class university library.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you make them feel,” said Dr. Xu, quoting American poet Maya Angelou to express her wish of having left a positive impact in DKU.
Dr. (Helen) Hong Xu received her B.A. and M.A. in Library Science from Wuhan University. She also hold an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology and a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Xu has served in multiple distinguished institutions. She was the Associate Librarian at City University of Hong Kong Library. Before that position, she was the Head of the East Asian Library at the University of Pittsburgh. She also taught in the Universities in China and the United States.
Dr. Xu has a variety of research interests including user study, bibliometrics, library and information science education, and library management. She serves on the editorial boards of several domestic and international academic journals, and has edited a number of books and published numerous research papers/chapters in journals and books. She is a frequently invited guest speaker for universities and different types of libraries in Greater China region.
