Enquiries Counter
The Enquiries Counter on the 2/F of the Main Library New Wing offers the following services:
- Library card applications
- Refund of library deposit
- Reader's cards to access certain non-UGC-funded libraries
Library Card Applications
All users must bring their valid library cards to gain access to and use various services at the Main Library. Library cards come in the following forms:
| Type of library card | Issued to | Issued by |
| Staff card | All full-time staff | Human Resource Section, Registry |
| Student card | All HKU students | Academic Services, Registry |
| Facilities access card (Borrower's or reader's card) |
All HKU Part-time staff, HKU staff / students who requested the extension of access to library services and facilities, alumni, SPACE Part-time tutors & students, External users and Circle of Friends | Enquiries Counter, Main Library |
| JULAC card | Staff & students | Online; Enquiries Counter, Main Library |
| Spouse or Dependent card | HKU Staff who have already registered their spouses or dependents' information with the Human Resource Section. The dependent child msut be above 16 and below 25 years of age. For a dependent child who is between 19 and 25 years of age, a document to show full-time study is also needed. | Online; Enquiries Counter, Main Library |
The Enquiries Counter handles the following library card applications:
- HKU Part-time staff
- HKU Staff Spouse or Dependent Children
- HKU Graduates
- HKU Retired Staff
- HKU Retired Staff Spouse
- Temporary extension of access to library services and facilities for HKU Staff / Students
- SPACE Part-time tutor
- SPACE Student
- Circle of Friends
- JULAC card
- Scholars and full-time degree students of overseas universities
Please contact the the Lending Services Division at 3917-2202 or libcir@hku.hk for more information.
HKU Part-time staff
All HKU part-time staff will be issued with a facilities access card by the Main Library. The library card will be valid for the duration of your contract. Endorsement letters from Department Heads are not necessary if proper staff registration has been completed by the Human Resource Section of the Registry.
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport
- A passport-sized photograph
- Facilities Access Card (if any)
- Application fee
- HK$50 for the University-levied smart card fee (waived if you already possess a facilities access card)
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
HKU Staff Spouse or Dependent Children
Spouse or dependent of HKU staff may apply for a borrower's card from the University Libraries through e-form.
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport
- A passport-sized photograph
- Facilities Access Card (if any)
- Application fee
- HK$50 for the University-levied smart card fee (waived if you already possess a facilities access card)
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
HKU Retired Staff
Retired members of HKU staff (with no further appointment at the University of Hong Kong) may apply for a borrower's card from the University Libraries. Card holders are entitled to enjoy the same loan period and loan quota as prior to retirement, the use of library facilities and full remote access to HKU e-resources. A deposit of HK$1000 is required for each Borrower's card issued.
| Card type | Library privilege | |
| Retired TOS I Staff | 400 Books + 6 AV items | Full remote access to HKU e-resources |
| Retired TOS II / III Staff | 24 Books + 6 AV items | Full remote access to HKU e-resources |
| Retired Technician Staff | 60 Books + 6 AV items | Full remote access to HKU e-resources |
- Note:
- (i) A confirmation of retired status will be made with Human Resource Section
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport
- A passport-sized photograph
- A pay-in-receipt as proof of deposit (if applicable)
- Facilities Access Card (if any)
- Application fee
- HK$50 for the University-levied smart card fee (waived if you already possess a facilities access card)
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
Retired HKU Staff Spouse
Spouse of a valid retired staff may apply for a borrower's card from the University Libraries. To apply, please come to Enquiries Counter on the second floor of the Main Library. Card holders are entitled to enjoy the same loan period and loan quota as prior to retirement, the use of library facilities. A deposit of HK$1000 is required for each Borrower's Ticket issued.
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport
- A passport-sized photograph
- A pay-in-receipt as proof of deposit
- Facilities Access Card (if any)
- Application fee
- HK$50 for the University-levied smart card fee (waived if you already possess a facilities access card)
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
HKU Graduates
HKU Graduates may either apply for (i) Circle of Friends (Platinum), (ii) Borrower or (iii) Reader with different library privileges as shown below:
| Card type | Application fee | Library privilege | |
| Circle of Friends (Platinum) | $550 (Annual fee) |
48 Books +
6 AV items
|
Remote access to selected e-resources (Alumni e-Library) |
|
Borrower |
Deposit HK$1000 (Refundable) or |
12 Books + 6 AV items | On-site access to most e-resources |
|
Reader |
$100 | On-site reading | On-site access to most e-resources |
- Circle of Friends Platinum Card
Card holders can enjoy remote access to selected e-resources available at Electronic Resources Alumni e-Library with borrowing privileges. Application can be made at the Enquiries Counter on the 2/F of the Main Library (New Wing) or simply fill in the Circle of Friends application e-form and follow the instructions stipulated. For more membership information, please refer to Circle of Friends or call 2859-8903.
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport
- A passport-sized photograph
- A proof of graduation (e.g. certificate of graduation, transcript, testimonial)
- A cheque or credit card for payment
- Application fee
- HK$550 for annual fee
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
- Graduate Borrower's Card
Card Holders will be entitled to borrowing privileges of up to 12 books and 6 audio-visual items at any time. Application for the Graduate Borrower's Card can be made at Enquiries Counter on the 2/F of the Main Library (New Wing) with a refundable deposit of $1,000. This deposit can be waived if you hold a HKU Graduate Credit Card issued by Bank of East Asia, and your Borrower's Card will be valid as long as the Credit Card remains so. For more information, please send email to libcir@hku.hk or call 3917-2202.
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport
- A passport-sized photograph
- A proof of graduation (e.g. certificate of graduation, transcript, testimonial)
- A pay-in-receipt as proof of deposit / HKU Graduate Credit Card issued by BEA
- Application fee
- HK$50 for the University-levied smart card fee
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
- Graduate Reader's card
To get on-site access to library resources, graduates have to pay HK$50 for the University-levied smart card fee and a processing fee of HK$50. Applications should be directed to the Enquiries Counter on the 2/F of the Main Library (New Wing). For more information, please send email to libcir@hku.hk or call 3917-2202.
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport
- A passport-sized photograph
- A proof of graduation (e.g. certificate of graduation, transcript, testimonial)
- Application fee
- HK$100 for the University-levied smart card fee & processing fee
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
Temporary extension of access to library services and facilities for HKU Staff / Students
After implementation of the new integrated library system, the online requests and remote access of all HKU staff or students to our e-resources will be authenticated via the HKU Portal. Patrons with expired/invalid staff or student accounts do not have valid HKU Portal accounts. These patrons are invited to consider one of the following options should they require extension of access to library services and facilities:
| Card type | Application fee | Library privilege | |
| A. Borrower's card | $150 |
24 Books +
6 AV items
|
Full remote access to HKU e-resources |
|
B. Reader's card For extension period > 3 months
|
$50 | On-site reading | On-site access to most e-resources |
|
C. Temporary visitor pass For extension period < 3 months
|
Free of charge | On-site reading | On-site access to most e-resources |
- Note:
- (i) One-off charge for each extension
- (ii) Extension period will be based on the date indicated on the letter from your Faculty or Academic Unit
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- A referral letter issued by your Faculty/Academic Unit with justification for extension
- Student: Study extension (e.g. thesis revision/oral defense)
- Staff: Pending appointment
- HKID card or Passport
- Your existing staff card or student card
- A referral letter issued by your Faculty/Academic Unit with justification for extension
- Application fee
- HK$150 for Borrower
- HK$50 for Reader
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
SPACE Part-time tutors
SPACE part-time tutors will be issued a borrower's card on recommendation by the Human Resources Department of SPACE. The library card will be valid for the duration of your contract.
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport
- A passport-sized photograph
- A notification letter for library access
- Facilities Access Card (if any)
- Application fee
- HK$50 for the University-levied smart card fee (waived if you already possess a facilities access card)
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
SPACE students
Students at SPACE should receive from the School notifications with regard to library access. Type of access, if any, will vary depending on programs or courses. If library access is offered with your program, please come to Enquiries Counter on the 2/F of the Main Library (New Wing) to apply for a library card.
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport
- A passport-sized photograph (for first time applicants)
- A notification letter for library access
- Facilities Access Card (if any)
- Application fee
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
Circle of Friends
Members of the community are welcome to join the University of Hong Kong Circle of Friends which is a group of friends and book lovers who support the Libraries. To be part of the HKUL community, you may either apply for a (i) Platinum card (HKU/SPACE Graduate only), (ii) Gold card (Borrower) or (iii) Silver card (Reader) to enjoy the privilege of reading e-resources (Alumni e-library) or borrowing from our libraries and other benefits like electronic newsletter of the Libraries, invitation to talks, exhibitions and special events. Application can be made via online or at Enquiries Counter on the 2/F of the Main Library (New Wing). For more membership information, please refer to Circle of Friends or call 2859-8903.
- Please bring along the following documents for application in person:
- HKID card or Passport for individual user
- A passport-sized photograph for individual user
- A cheque or credit card for payment
- Facilities Access Card (if any)
- Application fee
- Membership categories in Circle of Friends:
- HKU Graduate (Platinum) - $550
- SPACE Graduate (Gold/Platinum) - $1,650 / $2,200
- Centennial College Graduate (Gold) - $1,650
- External Individual (Silver/Gold) - $1,650 / $3,300
- Non-profit institution (Silver/Gold) - $1,650 / $3,300
- Corporation (Gold) - $6,600
- Cost of replacement: A fee of $150 will be levied for the replacement of lost card.
- Membership categories in Circle of Friends:
JULAC (Joint University Libraries Advisory Committee) card
The JULAC card allows access to all UGC-funded libraries' resource and borrowing privileges for HKU Teaching, Research staff (including Research Assistants and Demonstrators), Professional & Senior Administrative staff and HKU postgraduate students. HKU undergraduate students are eligible to apply for reader's access.
Scholars and full-time degree students of overseas universities
Scholars and full-time students of overseas universities with a bona fide research need are in general given on-site access to the library without borrowing right for a maximum of 3 months within one academic year. Please note that part-time students of overseas universities as well as external students of distance learning programmes are not eligible for this privilege. The library card can be applied by sending the supporting documents to the Lending Services Librarian at libcir@hku.hk in advance.
- Supporting documents for application:
- A letter from your institution signed by your supervisor specifying what materials are needed from the Libraries
- HKID card or Passport
- Staff or student identification
Refund of Library Deposit
Some library cards are issued with payment of a library deposit, which will be refunded to the library cardholder when he or she returns the library card to us. Please apply in person at the Enquiries Counter with the library card. The library deposit will only be refunded when all fines are cleared and all library materials returned.
Reader's cards to access contain non-UGC-funded libraries
Reader cards for accessing and reading in the libraries of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Vocational Training Council and the University of Macau are available upon requests. Please enquire at the Enquiries Counter for details.