Latest arrangements on services of Hong Kong Public Libraries
09.12.2020
In view of the latest situation of COVID-19, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will adopt further measures to maintain social distancing. From 10 December (Thursday), all public libraries and their students’ study rooms and mobile libraries will be temporarily closed until further notice. Book drops of the Hong Kong Public Libraries and those located at MTR Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong stations as well as the self-service library stations (at Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Tsuen Nam Road, Tai Wai) will continue to provide service.
During the temporary closure of libraries, all library programmes will be cancelled. Overdue fines will not be generated for late return of library materials, and due date of reservation pick up will be extended accordingly until further notice. The following online services will continue to be provided:
- Library Catalogue
- Borrowers' Record Enquiry
- Reservation of Library Materials
- Internet and Telephone Renewal
- Library mobile app services (‘My Library’)
- Electronic Resources (including e-books and online databases)
- Content Highlight
- Good Reads@e-Reading
- Special Arrangement : some e-Databases are available from library to remote access for a limited period - LCSD Edutainment Channel
- Online Reading and Library Activities
- Storytelling 101
Will book drop service be provided in all libraries?
The book drop service of all Hong Kong public libraries (including the book drops located at MTR Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong stations) will maintain. With effect from December 10, the book drop service will continue to be available 24 hours or during the opening hours of the premises where it is located. Please refer to the attached timetable. The concerned loan record will be updated within 3 days.
What kind of services will be provided at self-service library stations?
Self-service library stations will continue to provide round-the-clock library services which include borrowing, return, payment and pickup of reserved library materials.
How to return borrowed library materials which cannot be renewed? Will overdue fines be incurred for overdue items?
Readers can return borrowed items through library book drops (including the book drops located at MTR Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong stations) and self-service library stations. During the temporary closure of libraries with effect from December 10, overdue fines will not be generated for late return of library materials until further notice.
Why readers still receive overdue notices during the closure of libraries?
Library notices are issued by the library system automatically according to the loan records of readers in the system. It aims to remind readers to return the overdue items. Readers may return borrowed library materials through book drops and library stations. During the temporary closure of libraries with effect from December 10, overdue fines will not be generated for late return of library materials until further notice.
Apart from the library stations, what should readers do if reserved library materials cannot be collected during the closure of libraries?
The pick-up expiry date of reserved items will be extended through the library system during the temporary closure of libraries. Readers can check the extended expiry date by login to their online patron accounts or through “My Library” mobile app or contact the pick-up library for any enquiries.
