How to reserve library materials via the Internet 

1. Go to the Hong Kong Public Libraries homepage at http://www.hkpl.gov.hk.

2. Enter the search term(s) at the Catalogue Search box. For instance, enter the required title name, and click the Search button.
   

3. On the list of titles shown, click the one you request for to display its full record and status.
   

4. Check the edition, and then click Reserve. (If there is accompanying material such as CD-ROM for the book title being reserved, the accompanying material will also be reserved once the book title is reserved.) Please refer to Note (5) overleaf for explanation on the difference between “Title-level” and “Unit-level” reservation.

5. Enter your library card number or Hong Kong ID Card Number*.

6. Enter your password or the last four digits of your registered telephone number. Then click Login.
   

7. Select a pick-up location.

8. Select the expiry date of your reservation and click Reserve. (The reservation will be automatically cancelled if the item reserved is not yet available by the expiry date. Please refer to Note (4) overleaf.)

9. Please note that a system message with a transaction reference number will appear on the screen to confirm whether the reservation request has been successfully placed. (If “The following requests failed. Please contact a librarian. ” is displayed, please refer to Note (6) overleaf.) Be the reservation successful or not, you are suggested to record the Transaction Reference Number for future enquiry.

10. The library will inform you by post (or by email if you have registered for receiving email notifications) when the reserved item is ready for collection at the pickup location. For change of registered correspondence address, please approach the library counter or you may change your email address via the Library homepage.

        *For readers who have applied for using their smart ID cards for the library
          services only.

Notes for Reservation Service via the Internet

1. The reservation service via the Internet is available 24 hours daily.

2. Readers should make sure that their registered correspondence/email addresses are correct before making reservations.

3. A reader may reserve a maximum of 6 items of library materials.

4. Any reservation made will be valid for a default period of 270 days. Readers may change the expiry date to a date ranging from two weeks to two years from the date of reservation. The reservation will be automatically cancelled if the item reserved is not yet available by the expiry date.

5. System can handle both “Title-level” and “Unit-level” reservations. For general library materials, the reservation will be filled by any available copy under the same title (Title-level). For serials title with Unit information, if reader clicks the Reserve button next to individual items, the reservation will only be filled by any available lending copy under the same Unit (Unit-level). If reader clicks the Reserve button next to the number showing the total reservations on the title, it will be deemed as “Title-level” reservation.

6. Please note that a system message with a transaction reference number will appear on the screen to confirm whether the reservation request has been successfully placed. Reservation cannot be made if:

   • requested items are reference materials, audio-visual library materials and materials not for loan; or
   • a reader has already reserved six items; or
   • the borrower's account has outstanding fines exceeding the limit.
      

7. Reservations submitted may be viewed and updated* in “My Account”:

   • change of expiry date;
   • change of pickup location ; and
   • deactivation or cancellation of reservation.

   * Update of reservation can only be made if item has not been processed by library staff and the “Modify”, “Deactivate” and “Cancel” buttons are available for selection.

8. A reservation fee of HK$2.50 will be charged for each item. Once an item is successfully reserved and its status updated to “Available for pick-up”, the reader making the reservation is required to pay the reservation fee no matter he/she collects the item or not.