Library Regulations
1. Opening Hours
The Library opening hours are determined by the University Librarian according to the demand for library use and the availability of manpower. Opening hours are displayed at all library entrances and on the Library Website.
2. Admission
2.1 HSUHK Library is open to HSUHK students and staff, visitors and borrowers with valid library cards. All eligible users should obtain appropriate University Identity Cards from the University’s issuing unit(s) for the purpose of admission to the Library.
2.2 Library users are admitted upon the presentation of valid Library user cards issued by the University. These cards are not transferable.
3. Borrowing Services
3.1 Borrowing services will be offered at the Library service counters upon the presentation of valid Library user cards. Library materials cannot be taken out of the Library if not properly charged out. Library circulating materials could also be borrowed or returned using self-check machines.
3.2 Borrowers must use their own cards for borrowing. Loss of Library user cards should be reported to the University’s issuing unit(s) for card replacement.
3.3 Library cards may be issued to libraries with reciprocal borrowing privileges.
3.4 Loan Privileges
| Patron Types | Loan Quota | Loan Period | HOLD | |||||||||||||
| Total | Course Reserve/Special Collections | Digital Equipment | Circulation Collection | Multimedia Collection |
Serials Collection (Back Issue) |
Course Reserve Collection1 | Special Collections (except ‘Gao Xingjian Collection’) | Digital Equipment | ||||||||
| Initial | Max. | Initial | Max. | Initial | Max. | Max. | Max. | Max. | ||||||||
| Academic Staff | 100 | 5 | 1 | 150 days | 450 days | 3 days | 9 days | 3 days | 9 days | 2 hours | 2 hours (Library Use Only) | Same day | 10 | |||
| Emeritus Professor | ||||||||||||||||
| Research Assistant | ||||||||||||||||
| Postdoctoral Fellow | ||||||||||||||||
| Senior Management and Heads of Administrative & Academic Support Offices | ||||||||||||||||
| Postgraduate Student | 50 | 60 days | 180 days | |||||||||||||
| Undergraduate Student | 30 | 28 days | 84 days | |||||||||||||
| Exchange Student | ||||||||||||||||
| Administrative and Academic Support Staff | ||||||||||||||||
| Visiting Scholar Appointed by School/Department | ||||||||||||||||
|
Visitor2 (Staff/Student) |
||||||||||||||||
| Short-term Visiting Student | 10 | N.A. | ||||||||||||||
- For Course Reserve materials borrowing within two hours before closing on G/F, you may keep them overnight, and they must be returned before 9:30 am on the next opening day.
- Application should be made to the responsible Office / Department for obtaining the loan privileges.
The last return time of all Library Collections will be the 30 minutes before the Library closed.
3.5 Return
3.5.1 Library materials must be properly returned at appropriate Library Service Counters or Self-check machines.
3.5.2 Book can be returned to the BOOK DROP during Library closing hours. However, closed access items and multi-media items cannot be returned using BOOK DROP.
3.5.3 Multi-media items must be returned to the 2/F of the Library. Closed access items must be returned to the corresponding Library Service Counter from which they are borrowed.
3.6 Renewal
All borrowed items except in Course Reserve and Special Collections can be renewed provided that no other borrowers hold the same items.
3.7 Recall
3.7.1 All items borrowed in Circulation Collection are subject to recall once requested by another user.
3.7.2 The loan period will then be shortened and the item has to be returned within 14 days from the date of recall. To ensure the use period of 14 days, items that are due within 14 days will not be recalled.
3.7.3 Borrowers who receive recall notices are responsible for returning their borrowed items on or before the recall due dates.
3.8 Reservation
3.8.1 Borrowers can reserve loan items in the Circulation Collection and Multimedia Collection according to the respective Loan Quotas. Pick-up notices will be sent via users’ campus email accounts.
3.8.2 Reserved items held at Library service counter must be picked up within 2 opening days, otherwise they will be passed to fill the next request or returned to the shelves.
3.9 Fines
Overdue notice will be sent to the borrowers when an item is found to be overdue in the Library system. Users are responsible for checking their emails and own circulation records from the Library system. Non-receipt of the overdue notices will not be accepted as an excuse for waiving or reducing the overdue fines.
3.9.1 Fines will be charged for late return library materials as below:
| Categories | Fine Rate | Maximum Fine |
|
HK$1 per opening day | HK$100 per item |
|
HK$2 per opening day | |
|
HK$2 per opening hour | |
|
HK$10 per opening hour | |
|
HK$50 per opening day | HK$100 per card |
|
HK$200 per opening day | HK$2000 |
3.9.2 Transcripts or other academic documents will be withheld until all outstanding fines have been settled.
3.10 Loss, Assumed Loss and Damage Items
3.10.1 Borrowers are held responsible for any loss or damage of the items they borrowed and will be charged accordingly. The overdue fine incurred, if any, and a fine equivalent to the full cost of replacing the items plus HK$50 processing fee per item will be claimed through the Finance Office.
3.10.2 If a lost item is later found or returned to the Library before billing, it is considered to be officially returned on the day it is found or returned. Overdue fine will be calculated up to the day of the item is officially returned.
3.10.3 Any library material which has reached the maximum overdue fine of HK$100 and not yet returned by borrower will be assumed as lost.
3.10.4 User will be charged according to overdue fine incurred, if any, a fine equivalent to the full cost of replacing the items plus HK$50 processing fee will be claimed through Finance Office.
3.10.5 If an Assumed Loss item is later found or returned to the Library before billing, it is considered to be officially returned on the day it is found or returned. Overdue fine will be calculated up to the day of the item is officially returned.
3.10.6 Request for refund will not be considered once payment is made.
3.10.7 All Assumed Loss items remain the property of the Library.
Summary of Fines for Loss, Assumed Loss and Damage Items
| Categories | Fine Rate | Remarks |
| Lost or Damage Item |
Full cost of the item to be replaced + Overdue fine if any + HK$50 processing fee |
|
| Assumed Loss |
Full cost of the item to be replaced + Maximum overdue fine (HK$100) + HK$50 processing fee |
|
| CUHK Library Reader Card |
Cost of replacement (HK$50) + HK$50 processing fee |
N/A |
| HKBU Library Reader Card |
Cost of replacement (HK$20) + HK$50 processing fee |
|
|
EdUHK Library Reader Card HKSYU Library Reader Card HKAPA Library Reader Card SFU Library Reader Card TWC Library Reader Card |
Cost of replacement (HK$0) + HK$50 processing fee |
|
| HKU Library Card |
Cost of replacement (HK$150) + HK$ 50 processing fee |
3.11 Library User Conduct
In order to provide a pleasant and safe physical environment for study, learning and research, all library users are requested to observe the following:
3.11.1 Keep voice down at all time in the Library. Designated Quiet Study Zones are located on the ground and first floors.
3.11.2 All mobile and ringing devices must be turned off or switched to silent mode prior to entering the Library.
3.11.3 Consumption of food and beverages are not allowed in the Library.
3.11.4 Personal belongings should not be left unattended. The Library is not responsible for the safe keeping of any unattended personal belongings.
3.11.5 Reservation of seats by placing library materials and/or personal belongings on tables and/or seats in the Library is not allowed.
3.11.6 Treat library materials, facilities and equipment with due care. Marking, defacing, mutilation or damage to the books, facilities or equipment provided by the Library is strictly forbidden.
3.11.7 Display and distribution of any advertisement, decoration, flag, banner, emblem, poster, notice or sign is not allowed in the Library. The Library reserves the rights to remove any displays without prior notice.
3.11.8 Any requests for filming and photograph taking should be made at the Library Service Counters during office hours of the Library. Such activities are not allowed in the Library without the permission of the University Librarian.
3.11.9 Observe Hong Kong copyright ordinance. Users are fully responsible for any legal consequences concerning copyright that might arise from using the photocopiers, printers, and scanners in the Library.
3.12 Pay Attention to Copyright Guidelines
Any photocopying to be made in the library can only be used for the teaching and learning purposes. In case any unauthorized photocopying takes place, this Library has the right to disallow immediately the user from making any copy and shall hold the user liable on an indemnity basis for any claims, liabilities, costs and damages this Library and/or the The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong may suffer as result of such infringement. Excessive or systematic downloading of electronic resources in the Library is also strictly prohibited.
4. Loss of Library Privileges
Library privileges will be suspended if borrowers fail to comply with Library Regulations.
4.1 Borrower who has not paid maximum fines of HK$100 on overdue items or library materials lost while on loan to them will lose the Library privileges. Borrowing privileges will be resumed only when the owed fine has been paid and the borrowed item in question has been returned.
4.2 Library materials may not be taken away from the Library unless they have been properly charged out. Users who have been discovered mutilating library materials or carrying out non-issued library materials may be suspended from using the Library for a set period of time.
4.3 Any user who violates any of the Library Regulations in any way which may interfere with the convenience of other users of the Library or with the normal routine of the Library may have the privileges suspended for a set period of time.
5. Special Rules
5.1 The University Librarian may make special regulations regarding admission to and use of particular areas of the Library as and when is required.
5.2 The University Librarian may make any special rules or amend any of the Library Regulations as deemed appropriate for the proper management of the Library.
5.3 Loan quota, loan period and loan rules are subject to be updated from time to time by the Library in light of borrowing demand and proper management of library services.
6. Further Review on Library Regulations
Library will keep the Regulations under review. Amendments will be made from time to time and subject to be reviewed by Library and Learning Resources Advisory Committee (LLRAC) Members.
Last update: 3 July 2023