News & Announcements

4/F Main Library

Jan 29 2024

Librarian’s Message re: HKU Libraries supports Open Scholarship 2024

Published by at 10:14 am under Breaking News

HKU Libraries supports Open Scholarship 2024

Librarian’s Message re: HKU Libraries supports Open Scholarship 2024

HKU Libraries is dedicated to supporting Open Scholarship, which involves facilitating open access (OA) to research outputs, such as publications, research data, and others. Open Scholarship principles can strengthen research integrity, increase visibility and impact, and advance research for social good.

1. Open Access Article Processing Charge Waivers via Transformative Agreements

An increase of participation of HKU authors’ research publications made open access can be observed. We are happy to continue to support HKU authors with transformative agreements.

In addition to journals by partner publishers under current agreements, from 2024, HKU corresponding authors can enjoy full Article Processing Charge (APC) waivers when publishing OA in The Company of Biologists journals and Springer hybrid journals. Quota is limited and first-come-first-served for Springer hybrid journals.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/openaccess/ta

2. HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund

After the first year of success, the Libraries continues to support HKU authors who hope to make research outputs open access with the HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund.

When publishing in journals beyond the coverage of transformative agreements, current HKU academic or research staff members and postgraduate students can apply for the Fund and enjoy reimbursement for actual expenses up to US$2,000 per article for open access APCs.  Funding is limited and first-come-first-served.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/openaccess/OA-Fund

3. HKU Scholars Hub and DataHub

We also support the infrastructure to enable depositing and disseminating research data and outputs.

HKU researchers (UGC Grade A-I) can deposit manuscripts (preprints or postprints) to the HKU Scholars Hub in order to enhance the visibility of the research, and foster opportunities for collaboration.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/c.php?g=921165&p=6645373

Research data created by HKU researchers and research postgraduate students can be stored in the DataHub. DataHub fully supports the FAIR Principles – Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse of data. It aims to help researchers comply with journal policies and promote transparency and robustness of research.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/researchdata/datahub

The Libraries will continue to support HKU researchers in making research process and outputs open. For enquiries, please Ask-a-Librarian: https://lib.hku.hk/check_form/ask_a_librarian-form/ (To: Open Access).

Best regards,
Flora Ng
Chief Information Officer and University Librarian

Comments Off on Librarian’s Message re: HKU Libraries supports Open Scholarship 2024

Jan 04 2024

System Maintenance – 13th Jan 2024 (17:00 – 21:00)

Published by at 3:49 pm under Breaking News

Service Affected:

  • Book A Space (Facilities Booking System)

Date & Time: 13th Jan 2024, 17:00 to 21:00
Scope: Service is not available during the maintenance period

Comments Off on System Maintenance – 13th Jan 2024 (17:00 – 21:00)

Nov 17 2023

Limited Access Arrangement for Student JULAC Card Holders (27 Nov – 23 Dec 2023)

Published by at 3:54 pm under Breaking News

To manage the high demand for study areas during the revision week and examination period, the Libraries will be implementing limited entry for JULAC Card holders (students only) from other UGC-funded universities.

Affected students are advised to:

  1. use HKALL services or Interlibrary Loan services of your home library
  2. return the materials via our book drop and automated book returns or the JULAC Book Return Service at your home library on or before the due date
  3. arrange the pickup of requested materials before the limited access period or present the pickup notice email to the library staff at the respective service counter during the limited access period.

Regular access to the Libraries will resume after the examination period, starting from 27 Dec 2023 (Wed). Before visiting, please check the Library Homepage for any service updates and consult the library calendar. Thank you for your understanding.

Should you have any enquiries, please feel free to contact us via Email-a-Librarian.

 

Comments Off on Limited Access Arrangement for Student JULAC Card Holders (27 Nov – 23 Dec 2023)

Jul 13 2023

Extension of Access to University Facilities for Class of 2023

Published by at 8:10 am under Breaking News

We are pleased to let you know that you will be able to use your HKU Student Card for access to the University Libraries until August 31, 2024.

Access for Class of 2023 Details
Libraries Borrowing Privileges 48 books
6 audio-visual materials
Remote access to selected e-resources Remote Access to SELECTED electronic resources which may be changed by the University Libraries without prior notice.
uPrint printing service Click here for more details from ITS.
PCs and study tables PCs: https://lib.hku.hk/general/e-form/L3_booking_policy.html#Computers

Study Table: https://lib.hku.hk/general/e-form/L3_booking_policy.html#ST

Notes:

  • For updated access policy and service level, please refer to: https://lib.hku.hk/index.html.
  • The above shall be eligible for access by graduands of the Class of 2023 with their HKU Student Cards until August 31, 2024.
  • The access is eligible to the Year 2023 graduands who have already completed their studies in the following HKU programmes: Undergraduate, Taught Postgraduate, Research Postgraduate, Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma. The list does not include HKU SPACE.
  • For those graduands who have lost their HKU Student Cards, they can apply for the Facility Access Card by filling in this form.
  • For graduands who will be admitted to the HKU postgraduate programmes, when issued with a new HKU Student Card, their level of facility access as postgraduates will override their “Class of 2023” status.
  • Kindly find more details at: https://www.newgrads.alumni.hku.hk/facilities-access-2023

Comments Off on Extension of Access to University Facilities for Class of 2023

Jul 06 2023

New Policy on Excessive Downloading in Electronic Resources

Published by at 8:15 am under Breaking News

Dear colleagues, students and Libraries patrons,

We have received more reports of excessive downloading incidents recently from our information providers and suppliers of electronic resources (eResources). This would sometimes lead to an access ban on the whole HKU community.

To better tackle the interruption caused by excessive downloading incidents, the Senate Library Committee has passed the below policy against any student, staff member or Libraries patron found to have involved in any excessive downloading or prohibited uses (the Offender) after our investigation: –

  1. A one-month access ban will be placed on the first-time offender from using all eResources offered by the Libraries (remote and on campus);
  2. The first-time offender has to complete an e-Learning Course on the ethical use of electronic resources with a passing threshold at 80% in one month;
  3. A repeat offender (being caught more than once) will be put on a five-month consecutive access ban from all eResources subscribed by the Libraries. The Libraries may consider taking repeat offenders to the Disciplinary Committee for further actions;
  4. If the offender is a student, a staff member or any personnel attached to a faculty or a department, the Libraries will serve a letter with details to the respective faculty or department for record or any further action needed.

To avoid any interruption in the course access of eResources to the HKU community, we call for your attention to what leads to excessive downloading or prohibited uses on our thematic page: https://www.lib.hku.hk/general/warning.html.

Your cooperation is key to uphold our reputation. Thank you.

Yours Sincerely,
Flora Ng
CIO and University Librarian

Comments Off on New Policy on Excessive Downloading in Electronic Resources

Mar 24 2023

System Maintenance – 25th Mar 2023 (09:00 – 12:00)

Published by at 1:34 pm under Breaking News

Service affected:

  • HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund Application Form
  • Online Application Form for HKU Graduate Form
  • HKU Staff Spouse / Dependent Children Cards Online Application Form
  • HKU SPACE Part-time Staff Borrower’s Card Online Application Form
  • HKU SPACE Part-time Student Library Card Online Application Form
  • Application to Take Photographs in The University of Hong Kong Libraries Form
  • Application for Recording (Video and/or Audio) in The University of Hong Kong Libraries Form
  • Research Consultation Appointment Form
  • Library Instruction Request Form
  • HKUL Circle of Friends Application Form

Date & Time: 25th Mar 2023, 09:00 to 12:00
Scope: Service is not available during the maintenance period

Comments Off on System Maintenance – 25th Mar 2023 (09:00 – 12:00)

Jan 04 2023

Librarian’s Message re: HKU Libraries supports Open Scholarship

Published by at 8:16 am under Breaking News

open scholarship banner

Librarian’s Message re: HKU Libraries supports Open Scholarship

HKU Libraries commits to promoting Open Scholarship, which includes enabling open access (OA) to research publications, research datasets, metadata, along with research workflows and other types of outputs. We believe Open Scholarship principles can strengthen research integrity, increase visibility, and enhance the impact of the University.

1. Open Access Article Processing Charge Waivers via Transformative Agreements

Great news to all HKU authors!

From 1st January 2023, HKU corresponding authors can enjoy full Article Processing Charge (APC) waivers when publishing in Open Access (OA) with three more publishers – IOP Publishing, Portland Press, and Wiley. Quotas are limited and first-come-first-served for Wiley and Hindawi journals, while for IOP Publishing and Portland Press journals, quotas are unlimited. Meanwhile, we will also continue to work with Cambridge University Press and Karger to provide full APC waivers for HKU authors in 2023.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/openaccess/ta

2. HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund

The Libraries also supports HKU authors who publish in open access with other publishers.

Current HKU academic or research staff members and postgraduate students, who will publish with publishers other than the aforementioned ones, can apply for HKU Libraries Open Access Author Fund and enjoy reimbursement for actual expenses up to US$2,000 per article for open access APCs.  Fundings are limited and first-come-first served.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/openaccess/OA-Fund

3. HKU Scholars Hub and DataHub

HKU researchers (UGC Grade A-I) can deposit manuscripts (preprints or postprints) to the HKU Scholars Hub in order to enhance the visibility of the research, and foster opportunities for collaboration.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/c.php?g=921165&p=6645373

Research data created by HKU researchers and research postgraduate students can be stored in the DataHub. DataHub fully supports the FAIR Principles – Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse of data. It aims to help researchers comply with journal policies and promote transparency and robustness of research.

Learn more: https://libguides.lib.hku.hk/researchdata/datahub

The Libraries will continue to support HKU researchers in applying the principles of openness throughout research. For enquiries, please contact the Learning and Research Services, University Libraries at scholarlycomm@hku.hk.

Best regards,
Flora Ng
Chief Information Officer and University Librarian

Comments Off on Librarian’s Message re: HKU Libraries supports Open Scholarship

Nov 03 2022

Librarian Message re: Update to the Special Collections Access Procedures

Published by at 2:00 pm under Breaking News

Librarian Message re: Update to the Special Collections Access Procedures

 

On 1st June 2022 the HKU Libraries issued an announcement regarding the procedural enhancements of using the space and materials of Special Collections, which include Chinese and Western Rare Books Collections, limited editions of publications, historic photographs and materials relating to Hong Kong, namely Hong Kong Collection.

Librarian Message re: Special Collections Access Procedure

 

Due to instances of users’ mishandling, damages and loss of the HKU Libraries’ rare materials within our Special Collections Area in the past, the arrangement is considered to be necessary to protect and preserve our unique, valuable, rare and irreplaceable materials which form our complete collections.

 

The international best practices of registration for access to special materials are adopted in our libraries. We referenced our Special Collections access procedures to international standards and best practice amongst international peers including The British Library, Library of Congress, Bodleian Libraries of Oxford, Cambridge Libraries, University of Sydney, Harvard University, American Library Association and numerous renowned institutions.

 

The new booking procedure also ensures priority is given to those who have genuine needs to use the Special Collections. Since the implementation of the booking procedure, the preservation of our materials is improved, less damages are found, and no loss has been reported despite high number of visitors.

 

We comply with the guidelines of Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data (PCPD) and follow strictly the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and Copyright Ordinance to ensure no personal data are compromised and copyrights are infringed. Photoduplication of copyrighted materials at Special Collections is allowed for private study but declaration of reproduction needs signing by users who shall be obliged to the Copyright Ordinance.

 

We have been actively consulting, acquiring and providing access to materials recommended by faculties and students to support their teaching, learning and academic development through physical and digital means.  We have also been collecting feedback and suggestions from HKU Libraries users and refining the access procedures to enhance our users’ experience. Please contact us at libspeco@hku.hk to help us improve.

 

Thank you for your continued support.

 

Yours sincerely,

Flora Ng
Chief Information Officer and
University Librarian

Comments Off on Librarian Message re: Update to the Special Collections Access Procedures

Oct 31 2022

System Maintenance – 1st Nov 2022 (05:00 – 06:00)

Published by at 11:45 am under Breaking News

Service affected: Facility Booking System

Date & Time: 1st Nov 2022, 05:00 to 06:00

Scope: Service is not available during the maintenance period

Comments Off on System Maintenance – 1st Nov 2022 (05:00 – 06:00)

Aug 08 2022

Temporary closure – 5/F & 6/F, Main Library

Published by at 9:00 am under Breaking News

Temporary closure – 5/F & 6/F, Main Library

1 – 14 August 2022

The Main Library 5/F & 6/F Old Wing will be closed for renovation works. There will be no access to the 5/F & 6/F for library patrons from 1 to 14 August 2022.

If you wish to access the 5/F & 6/F collections, please submit your book retrieval request to us with this e-form, https://lib.hku.hk/cgi-bin/check_form/BRR-form

For enquires, please call 3917-2202 or contact libcir@hku.hk.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Comments Off on Temporary closure – 5/F & 6/F, Main Library

Next »