Readers may renew library items or enquire their borrowing records 24 hours daily through telephone 2827 2833 / 2698 0002.

How to use the Renewal and Account Enquiry Services via Telephone

1. Dial 2827 2833 / 2698 0002 with a touch tone telephone

2. Select language:
   (1) for Cantonese
   (2) for Putonghua
   (3) for English

3. Enter your library card number, then press #

4. Enter your personal identification number or the last four digits of your registered telephone number. Then press #

5. The system would read the number of library items on loan to you and the overdue items not yet returned after successful login.

6. Select service:
   (0) renew all library item(s) (please see point 7.(i))
   (1) renew individual library item (please see point 7.(ii))
   (2) enquire all library item(s) on loan
   (3) enquire outstanding charges
   (8) handle another library card account
   (9) return to the main menu
   (*) exit
   

7. For each renewal request, the system would assign a transaction reference number and announce the renewal result as follows:
   

   1. renew all library item(s)

      • The system would assign a transaction reference number and a new due date if all items are successfully renewed; or

      • The system would announce the number of items not renewed, a transaction reference number, the barcode numbers of successfully renewed items and the new due date if not all items are successfully renewed. After the above transaction, you can press
        (1) get the reason for unsuccessful renewal
        (8) handle another library card account
        (9) return to the main menu
        (*) exit
        

   2. renew individual library item

      • The system would assign a transaction reference number and a new due date if the selected item is successfully renewed; or

      • The system would announce the reason for unsuccessful renewal and a transaction reference number if the selected item cannot be renewed. After transaction, you can press
        (1) renew another individual library item
        (8) handle another library card account
        (9) return to the main menu
        (*) exit
        

8. Be the renewal successful or not, you are suggested to record the transaction reference number for future enquiry.
   
   
   
   

Notes for the Telephone Renewal Service

1. The telephone renewal service is available 24 hours daily.
   

2. The system will respond with a transaction reference number and a new due date for the library item(s) successfully renewed.
   

3. When choosing “renew all library item(s)” but part of the items cannot be renewed, the system will read the number of items not renewed and a transaction reference number; when choosing “renew individual library item” but the selected item cannot be renewed, the system will respond with the reason for unsuccessful renewal and a transaction reference number.
   

4. Library items borrowed in groups (e.g. the book accompanied with a CD-ROM or a map etc.) will be renewed together automatically if all items in the group are eligible for renewal. If any item in the group cannot be renewed for reason(s) specified in point 5 below, renewal will not be processed for the remaining items in the group.
   

5. Library items CANNOT be renewed through the telephone if:

   • items have already been reserved by another reader and there are no other available copies; or
     

   • items have been renewed consecutively for 5 times; or
     

   • items to be renewed are overdue; or
     

   • the main item of the group items has already been returned; or

   • the borrower's library record has outstanding fines exceeding the limit.

6. It is recommended that renewal by telephone be made at least one working day before the due date to allow time for the prompt return of the library item(s) in person at a nearby Hong Kong Public Libraries in case renewal is unsuccessful.

7. The new due date is calculated from the day the item is renewed irrespective of the original due date. A new loan period of 14 days applies and will not be extended even if the item is renewed earlier. For example, if a book due for return on the 8th day of the month is renewed on the 6th, the new due date will fall on the 20th not the 22nd.

8. All loan items which cannot be renewed should be returned to the Hong Kong Public Libraries by the due date. Borrowers must pay the fines for all overdue loan items.

9. For login to telephone renewal system, you should use the personal identification number or the last four digits of your registered telephone number. The internet password is only applicable for login to online library services e.g. online renewal and reservation of library materials etc.

10. For enquiries, please call 2928 4547 during office hours.