1 May 2014 (Labour Day), and
6 May 2014 (Buddha’s Birthday)

The Main Library, Main Circulation & Interlibrary Loans, AV & Reserve Collection and Special Collections will open from 10am to 7pm.

The Law Library will open from 10am to 5pm.

Medical Library will open from 10am to 6am of the following day.

The Dental Library, Education Library, and Music Library will be closed.


1 to 26 May 2014

Main Library will open 21.5 hours from 7 pm, 1 May 2014 to 6 am, 26 May 2014.

After library opening hours, contract security guards will be stationed in the building to provide basic security services. Users can check out/in books using the self-check stations on ground and fourth floors when the circulation counter is closed. All public computers, printers and copiers will also be available but no refill of printing papers will be provided.


For enquiry, please call 2859-2203 or 2241-5945.


Best wishes
Peter Sidorko
University Librarian

The Main Library and Medical Library will extend the opening hours for the coming Revision Week & Assessment Period from 1-26 May 2014:

Main Library:
Daily: 8:30am – 6am of the following day
(except Special Collections, AV & Reserve Collection, and Level 3 Collaboration Zone)

Medical Library
Monday – Friday: 8:15am – 6am of the following day
Saturday: 8:30am – 6am of the following day
Sundays & Public Holidays: 10am – 6am of the following day

All service counters will be closed outside the normal operating hours. In order to thoroughly clean the library, all users and their possessions must be cleared by 6 am each morning. Items not removed from each desk will be removed by staff on duty and can be collected at

Main Library:
After 9 am (10 am on Sundays & Public Holidays) at the Lending Services Division on the G/F;

Yu Chun Keung Medical Library:
After 10 am at the Circulation Counter.

During the extended opening hours, contract security guards will be stationed in these two libraries to provide basic security services. When the circulation counters are closed, users can check out/in books using the self-check stations (G/F and 4/F in Main Library, and one in Medical Library). While there is no counter service, all public computers, printers and copiers will be available but no refill of printing paper will be provided.

For enquiry, please call 2859-2203 or 2241-5945.


Best wishes
Peter Sidorko
University Librarian

A Lease made between Her Majesty the Queen and George Duddell Esq. on 5th October 1846

Preserving the Past, Informing the Future Exhibition of the “Deacons Archives”

You are cordially invited to visit the Exhibition of the “Deacons Archives” which will be held at Special Collections, 1/F Main Library, The University of Hong Kong, from 4th – 28th April 2014.

The Deacons Archives contains the bulk of the early surviving records of Deacons and its predecessors, including client deeds and papers, wills and probate, deceased estate client files, powers of attorney, business contracts and agreements, certificates, legal correspondence, accounting records, and more. The date range for the Archives is from 1846 to 2007, with a bulk date range between 1880s and 1950s. This surely provides valued information reflecting the social and economic conditions of Hong Kong particularly in the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century.

This exhibition intends to convey the depth, breadth and richness of the Archives’ holdings. The documents on display are various types of records relating to The University of Hong Kong, wills of local renowned entrepreneurs, land lease and land sale deeds, and other intriguing records ranging from the 1900s to the 1960s. A number of damaged documents which have been repaired and restored by our Preservation and Conservation team are also on display, along with images to illustrate the different repair processes.

The University of Hong Kong Libraries is deeply grateful to Deacons for depositing the firm’s archival records with us permanently, which is now formally named as the Deacons Archives. We appreciate very much Deacons’ belief in acknowledging the past, preserving the memory, and investing in the future. History is written with reference to the evidence of the past. We truly honour Deacons’ rationale for making the deposit, which does not only enable the Libraries to preserve the firm’s historical records perpetually, but also to make the Archives available for scholarly research and teaching purposes.

Deacons is Hong Kong’s premier law firm and provides an extensive range of legal and commercial services to local and international businesses. With roots in Hong Kong beginning in 1851, it has long and distinguished histories coupled with influential and prominent partners and clients. The firm’s archival records can help develop connections within our communities, commemorate and encourage philanthropic activities, and contribute to Hong Kong society’s understanding of itself.

For enquiries, please contact Special Collections at libspeco@hku.hk or 2859-2207.

Best wishes
Iris Chan
Special Collections Librarian