Latest arrangements on services of Hong Kong Public Libraries

All public libraries and students’ study rooms (SSR) have resumed services. For opening hours of individual public libraries and mobile stops, please refer to Locate Libraries

Special Measures

In the interest of public health, to avoid people gathering and to foster social distancing, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will continue to adopt special measures at the library facilities. Measures include limiting the number of people entering the libraries. Members of the public need to use hand sanitiser and will be subject to body temperature checks before admission. They also need to wear their own masks in the libraries. The libraries will strengthen the cleaning and disinfection of the facilities in the libraries, in order to ensure the normal operation of the ventilation system and maintain indoor air circulation.

"LeaveHomeSafe" QR codes are displayed at entrance of libraries and SSR for patrons to scan and record their visit. Except for exempted persons, all persons are required to use the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application (the App) to scan the venue QR code before they are allowed to enter the libraries and SSR. Persons who are aged below 12 or aged 65 or above, and those with disabilities that render use of the App difficult will be exempted from the requirement of using the App when they enter the libraries and SSR. Exemptions will also be granted to individual persons depending on actual circumstances. All exempted persons are required to register their names, contact number and the date and time of the visit. We also encourage the exempted persons to use the App as far as possible to save time. Details

Starting from 19 April, the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) implements the Vaccine Pass arrangement in accordance with the Government's latest Vaccine Pass requirements. Under the arrangement, all persons entering or remaining in the libraries and their SSR must comply with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements as set out in the Annex. They are required to actively present to the person-in-charge of the premises their vaccination record or Exemption Certificate and the relevant QR code, including that saved in "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application or shown on mobile applications such as "iAM Smart" or "eHealth", or the QR code shown on their paper vaccination record for scanning by the person-in-charge of the premises. Any person whose vaccination record (e.g. non-local vaccination record) does not contain a QR code is required to provide his or her personal particulars (name, contact number, date and time of visit) by completing a specified form for retention by the person-in-charge of the premises. Children aged under 12 not accompanied by an adult are also required to provide the relevant personal particulars by completing a specified form for retention by the person-in-charge of the premises.

The LCSD will pay close attention to the latest development of the pandemic and review or revise the above reopening arrangements in due course, and adjust relevant preventive measures as and when necessary.

Renewals and Overdue Fine

The maximum number of renewal maintains to be five consecutive times except for item which is reserved by another reader. The calculation of overdue fines for library materials borrowed at all public libraries has been resumed from 5 May. Patrons are advised to renew their borrowed items on time or return the overdue items as soon as possible to avoid incurring overdue fines.

Computer facilities

To tie-in the government’s anti-epidemic measures, some workstations for Internet & Digital Service and in Computer and Information Centre/Area are reopened for booking. The booking arrangement for computer facilities is resumed to normal. Patrons are able to make reservation through the 24 hours online booking system (for Internet & Digital Services workstations only), by telephone or in person during library opening hours, for use of computer workstations 7 days in advance.  Each patron may reserve a maximum of two sessions per day during the library opening hours, on a first-come, first-served basis. Please refer to the attached list for the telephone numbers for making reservation.

Students’ Study Room

The SSR has extended opening hours during the examination period till 31 May (Details). To tie-in the government’s anti-epidemic measures, the number of seats is reduced to maintain social distancing. List of the SSR is attached here. The HKPL may change and alter the opening hours or admission arrangement of SSR in response to public health concerns or other special circumstances when necessary. Please note the latest announcements of the HKPL.

Book drops and Self-service Library Stations

Following the reopening of all public libraries, book drop service of HKPL has resumed to its normal operation and remain closed during library opening hours. MTR book drop service (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 to maintain service.

Other Services

Public libraries will also plan to resume library programmes with implementation of enhanced precautionary measures. The following online services will continue to be provided:

1. Library Catalogue
2. Borrowers' Record Enquiry
3. Reservation of Library Materials
4. Internet and Telephone Renewal
5. Library mobile app services (‘My Library')
6. Electronic Resources (including e-books and online databases)
       - Content Highlights
       - Good Reads@e-Reading
7. LCSD Edutainment Channel (Please click here for browsing)
       - Online Reading and Library Activities
8. 101 Academy (Please click here for browsing)
       - Appreciation of Literature (Content in Cantonese)
       - Literary Map of Hong Kong (Content in Cantonese)

With the reopening of all public libraries, will book drop service be changed?

Subsequent to the reopening of all public libraries from 21 April, all book drops has resumed to the normal operation and remain closed during library opening hours. Loan records of items returned through book drops, including non-print material such as cassette or CD, will be updated on the next opening day.

How to return borrowed library materials which cannot be renewed? Will overdue fines be incurred for overdue items?

Readers can return borrowed items to all reopened public libraries, or through library book drops (including the book drops located at MTR Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong) and self-service library stations.  Following the reopening of all libraries from 21 April, calculation of overdue fines has been resumed with effect from 5 May. Patrons are advised to renew their borrowed items on time or return the overdue items as soon as possible to avoid incurring overdue fines.

Will all computer facilities in library be resumed?

In the interest of public health, to avoid people gathering and to foster social distancing, the number of the workstations in Computer and Information Centre/Area and for Internet & Digital Service is reduced for booking. The booking arrangement for computer facilities has been resumed to normal. Patrons are able to make reservation through the 24 hours online booking system (for Internet & Digital Services workstations only), by telephone or in person during library opening hours, for use of computer workstations 7 days in advance. Each patron may reserve a maximum of two sessions per day during the library opening hours, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Why patrons are required to use "LeaveHomeSafe" app for admission to public libraries and students’ study room? Are patrons without smart phones not allowed to use the library services?

To tie in the government's epidemic preventive measures, users of public libraries and SSR are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code, save for exempted persons who are also required to register their names, contact number and the date and time of the visit for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found.

Will the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app position its users and collect personal data in users’ mobile phone?

The "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app will not use positioning services or any other data of the users' mobile phones. Venue check-in data will be encrypted and saved on users' devices only. Such data will not be uploaded to the Government or any other systems. Please call 1823 for any enquiry.

What is Vaccine Pass? Is it applicable at the public libraries?

The Vaccine Pass is an important anti-epidemic measure. It aims to encourage more people to get vaccinated while enabling residents to safely resume normal daily life. The Vaccine Pass is also applicable through administrative instructions at indoor venues managed by the LCSD, including public libraries and their SSR. Under the arrangement, all persons entering or remaining in the libraries and their SSR must comply with the COVID-19 vaccination requirements as set out in the Annex. They are required to actively present to the person-in-charge of the premises their vaccination record or Exemption Certificate and the relevant QR code, including that saved in "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile application or shown on mobile applications such as "iAM Smart" or "eHealth", or the QR code shown on their paper vaccination record for scanning by the person-in-charge of the premises. Any person whose vaccination record (e.g. non-local vaccination record) does not contain a QR code is required to provide his or her personal particulars (name, contact number, date and time of visit) by completing a specified form for retention by the person-in-charge of the premises. Children aged under 12 not accompanied by an adult are also required to provide the relevant personal particulars by completing a specified form for retention by the person-in-charge of the premises.

How to present my vaccination record for the purpose of the Vaccine Pass?

You can present your vaccination record for the purpose of the Vaccine Pass using one of the following methods:

1. Local doses: QR code of local vaccination record using the “LeaveHomeSafe”, “iAM Smart” or “eHealth” mobile applications;
2. Local doses: Printed local vaccination record with QR code; or
3. Non-local doses/mixed local and non-local doses: (i) Printed or electronic vaccination record issued by the relevant authorities; (ii) QR code of vaccination record obtained from Port Health at control points when inbound travellers declare their non-local vaccination details; and (iii) QR code of vaccination record obtained from the 18 designated post offices upon completion of declaration of non-local vaccination details.