Latest arrangements on services of Hong Kong Public Libraries

12.07.2021

All public libraries have resumed normal opening hours. 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 LCSD will continue to adopt special measures at the library facilities. Measures include limiting the number of people entering the library. 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 library. Children aged under 12 are allowed to enter the library to use library facilities and services, and participate in extension activities, only when accompanied by an adult. The library will strengthen the cleaning and disinfection of the facilities in the library, ensure the normal operation of the ventilation system in order to maintain indoor air circulation.

"LeaveHomeSafe" QR codes are displayed at entrance of libraries and students’ study rooms for patrons to scan and record their visit. Users are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their names, contact number and the date and time of the visit before being allowed to enter the libraries and students’ study rooms for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. Members of the public who opt for registering their personal information at the scene, the venue staff will immediately call the contact number provided to verify the authenticity of information. Appeals are made to members of the public to download and install the "LeaveHomeSafe" mobile app in advance and scan the QR code with the app. (Details)

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 as five consecutive times except for item which is reserved by another reader. All static and mobile libraries have resumed the calculation of overdue fines from 5 March and 3 May 2021 respectively. Except mobile libraries, overdue charges will also be levied on the closing days of any individual library. 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

Reduced number of workstations of Internet & Digital Service, Kid’s Internet & Digital Service and Computer and Information Centre/Area, if any, have been resumed for booking to maintain social distancing. Patrons may 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. First-come, first-served. Please refer to the attached list for the telephone numbers for making reservation.

Students’ Study Room

The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) students' study rooms (SSR) has resumed normal opening hours with effect from 1 June. The number of seats in SSR is reduced to control the number of users. Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.  List of the SSR is attached here. For opening hours of the SSR, please refer to Locate Libraries

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 resumption of normal opening hours of all public libraries, all book drops of HKPL have 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. MTR book drop service (including service at MTR Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong stations) continue to maintain normal service. 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 provide round-the-clock library services for borrowing, return, payment and pickup of reserved library materials.

Other Services

The following online services continue to be provided:

 

With the resumption of normal opening hours of all public libraries, will book drop service be changed?
Subsequent to the resumption of normal opening hours of all public libraries, all book drops of the HKPL have resumed to the normal operation, i.e. open during library closing 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. Readers are invited to return borrowed items to the libraries directly during library opening hours.

Will overdue fines be incurred for borrowed library materials which are overdue and cannot be renewed?
All static libraries and mobile libraries have resumed the calculation of overdue fines from 5 March and 3 May 2021 respectively. Except mobile libraries, overdue charges will also be levied on the closing days of any individual library. Patrons are advised to renew their borrowed items on time or return the overdue items as soon as possible to avoid incurring overdue fines.

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 with the government's epidemic preventive measures, users of public libraries and students’ study room are required to scan the "LeaveHomeSafe" QR code or register their names, contact number and the date and time of the visit for necessary contact tracing if a confirmed case is found. For users who opt for registering their personal information at the scene, the venue staff will immediately call the contact number provided to verify the authenticity of information.

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.