Latest arrangements on services of Hong Kong Public Libraries
02.12.2020
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 2 December, the Hong Kong Central Library, six major libraries and 31 district libraries will implement special opening hours to provide limited services, including lending and returning of library materials, and picking up of library materials reserved. The other 32 small libraries and mobile libraries will be temporarily closed until further notice.
Libraries to be opened
- Hong Kong Central Library
- Six major libraries (namely City Hall, Kowloon, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Tuen Mun and Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library)
- 31 district libraries (namely Aberdeen, Chai Wan, Cheung Chau, Fa Yuen Street, Fanling, Lai Chi Kok, Lam Tin, Lockhart Road, Ma On Shan, Ngau Chi Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, North Kwai Chung, North Point, Po On Road, Quarry Bay, San Po Kong, Sai Kung, Shek Tong Tsui, Sheung Shui, Shui Wo Street, South Kwai Chung, Tai Hing, Tai Po, Tiu Keng Leng, To Kwa Wan, Tseung Kwan O, Tsing Yi, Tung Chung, Yau Ma Tei, Yuen Chau Kok and Yuen Long Public Library)
Facilities
Library facilities to be opened include adult library, young adult library (only applicable to Hong Kong Central Library and Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library), children's library, reference library and Students’ Study Rooms (not applicable to Hong Kong Central Library, City Hall Public Library, North Point Public Library and Tai Hing Public Library).
Other facilities in the library, including newspapers and periodicals area, Computer and Information Centre, Internet & Digital Services workstations, hiring facilities and Coffee Corner, etc. will be temporarily closed. Library programmes scheduled to be held in all venues will also be cancelled. The Toy Library and Children’s Multimedia Room of the HKCL, the Kid’s Internet & Digital Service workstations at other public libraries will remain closed.
Special Measures
In the interest of public health, to avoid people gathering and to foster social distancing, the LCSD will adopt special measures at the library facilities to be opened. Measures include implementation of special opening hours, limiting the number of people entering the library. Members of the public will be subject to body temperature checks before admission and need to wear their own masks in the library. Children aged under 12 are allowed to enter the library and use library facilities and services (including Students’ Study Room) only when accompanied by an adult. Cleaning session will be arranged during the opening hours. The library will strengthen the cleaning and disinfection of the facilities in the library, ensure the normal operation of the ventilation system, maintain indoor air circulation. The LCSD will continue to review the situation and adjust relevant preventive measures as and when necessary.
Special opening hours
The above mentioned libraries will implement special opening hours, details are listed in the table below. Please contact the staff of respective library for details: Locate Libraries
| Service Hours | Sessions |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday： 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Cleaning： 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Sunday and Public Holidays： 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cleaning： 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. |
Students’ Study Room
The students’ study rooms of the above-mentioned libraries will implement the same special opening hours. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Number of seats will be reduced about half to allow distancing. Please refer to the attached list of the students’ study room and the service hours as follows:
| Service Hours | Sessions |
|---|---|
| Monday to Saturday： 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Cleaning： 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Sunday and Public Holidays： 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cleaning： 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. |
Book drops and Self-service Library Stations
Book drop service of Hong Kong Public Libraries (including service at MTR Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong stations), and the self-service library stations located at Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area, the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Tsuen Nam Road, Tai Wai will continue their services.
Renewals
The maximum number of renewal will be five consecutive times except for item which is reserved by another reader.
Others
The other 32 small libraries and their students’ study rooms (if any), and mobile libraries will be temporarily closed until further notice. For library materials which have already been checked out from small and mobile libraries, overdue fines will not be generated for late return of these materials during their temporary closure period; due date of reservation picking up will also be extended accordingly.
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 - 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 drop service at MTR Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong stations) will maintain. With effect from December 2, the book drop service will 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 48 hours.
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 to 38 branch libraries which are still open, or through library book drops and self-service library stations. During the temporary closure of small and mobile libraries, overdue fines will not be counted for those items borrowed from these libraries until further notice. As for library materials borrowed from other libraries that are open for public, overdue fines will be counted for late return of the items as usual.
Why readers still received overdue notices during the period of partial service suspension?
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 to avoid incurring overdue fines, and also to provide an opportunity for other readers to borrow these items. Readers may return library materials to those libraries which are still open, or through book drops and library stations.
Where can readers pick up reserved library materials?
The Hong Kong Central Library, six major libraries and 31 district libraries are partially opened from December 2 to provide lending services and picking up of library materials reserved to public. Readers may collect their reserved items in person at the aforesaid libraries that have been selected for pick-up or contact library staff for assistance. Reader is required to pay the reservation fee once the item is successfully reserved at the aforesaid libraries, no matter the item is collected or not.
For items reserved to be picked up at small or mobile libraries which are temporarily closed, the pick-up expiry date of reserved items will be extended through the library system during the service suspension period. 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 enquiries or assistance.
