The Library maintains a one-ID card policy. Although users may have multiple status, only one Library Card will be issued accordingly. A lost card once reported will be invalidated. All users must observe the rules and regulations of the Library System.
The University Library System consists of the University Library
in the central area of the campus and the branch libraries at
the colleges and at the teaching hospital. The University Library
houses an extensive research collection as well as many undergraduate
materials and the pre-clinical portion of the medical collection.
The branch libraries contain reference and curricular materials,
some special subject collections according to the needs of the
colleges, and books and periodicals to support general education.
Library regulations apply to all the libraries. The University
Library System reserves the right to revise these regulations
when necessary.
Details about opening hours are posted at the entrance to each
Library. Opening hours are adapted to the semester schedules.
Library privileges are personal and individual. They may not
be transferred to, or used on behalf of, other persons.
Privileges fall into three categories:
1. Borrowing
Borrowing privileges are extended to all registered students
and academic/administrative staff of The Chinese University of
Hong Kong.
Others may apply to the University Librarian for special Borrowers'
Cards. Clerical staff, technicians and spouses of the faculty
and administrative staff of the University may also apply to the
University Librarian for borrowing privileges.
2. Reading
The privilege of reading is extended to visiting scholars, to
researchers and to graduates of this University according to established
regulations. Reserve books, however, are for the exclusive use
of students and faculty of the University.
3. The use of special facilities
Carrels: not reserved for any category of Library user; they
are available for the convenience of all.
Study rooms in the University Library: on application to the
University Librarian, faculty members and PhD students may reserve
a room for one month, renewable once if its use justifies it. These study
rooms may not be transferred to another person.
Seminar rooms in the University Library: upon application to
the University Librarian, a user may reserve a seminar room for a
lecture or for a series of lectures or meeting which would benefit
from the use of Library materials and resources.
Photocopying: photocopying machines are available in all Libraries. A
reader may obtain at cost photocopies of materials, provided
there is no infringement of copyright.
Interlibrary loans: the Interlibrary Loan Librarian will attempt
to obtain from other libraries books and other materials which
are not owned by the University Library System and which cannot
be readily purchased.
Every user of the Libraries must show a University Identification
Card, or a Reader's Card at the entrance of the Library. Applications
for Borrowers' Cards and Readers' Cards are made at the Circulation
Desk.
The loss of a Borrower's Card must be reported to the Library
immediately; a duplicate card may be issued two weeks after the
loss is reported. Only one duplicate will be granted within a
semester. Changes of address should also be reported to the Library
as soon as possible.
Borrower Categories
CUHK Library users are grouped into the following groups:
1. Registered students of The Chinese University of Hong Kong
(including undergraduate students, graduate students and exchanged
students).
2. Staff members of terms A, B and C who have valid borrowers' cards
issued by the University Librarian.
3. Others: spouses of staff members, alumni,
visiting scholars and readers approved by the University Librarian.
Borrowing Limits
The borrowing limits for different categories of users are as
follows:
Category 1. Undergraduate students: 25 volumes for 14 days
Category 2. Postgraduate students: 40 volumes for 30 days
Category 3. Research staff: 50 volumes for 60 days
Category 4. Teaching staff (Terms A): 60 volumes for 60 days
Category 5. Teaching staff (Terms B): 50 volumes for 60 days
Category 6. Administrative staff (Terms A): 40 volumes for 60 days
Category 7. General non-teaching staff (Terms B): 15 volumes for 14 days
Category 8. Staff members of Terms C: 5 volumes for 14 days
Category 9. Spouses of staff members: 5 volumes for 14 days
Category 10. Others: according to special arrangement
(Maximum loan period of 30 days at the Li Ping Medical Library)
Categories 2 to 6 users may charge out periodicals. Bound periodicals
may be borrowed for three days. Current and single issues may
be borrowed for one day only.
All books taken from the book stacks must be charged at the Circulation
Desk. Reserve books must be charged at the Reserve Books Desk:
there are varying borrowing limits on these books.
Books obtained from interlibrary loan are borrowed through the
courtesy of other libraries and their restrictions as to loan
period and renewal are therefore observed. Usually the loan period
is two weeks. Photocopies of periodical articles may be obtained
at cost.
Reference books, rare books and microfilms do not circulate.
Renewals
Borrowers may renew loans for two additional periods. Renewals
must be made on or before the last date of the initial loan period. Otherwise,
overdue fines will be charged.
Members of categories 4 to 6 listed above may renew loans in
writing. After two renewals, however, the book must be returned
to the Library shelves so that it may be available to others.
No book may be renewed if it is required by another person.
Recall
When needed by other users, circulating books and journals are
subject to recall at any time. In the recall notices, a new due
date will be given, i.e. 14 days after the date of the
notice.
Borrowers should respond to a recall promptly. Late returns will
be fined [see Fines (b)].
Overdue
The responsibility of returning books on time lies with the borrower.
When the loan period expires, an overdue notice is sent to all
categories of borrowers.
Fines
(a) Overdue - All categories of borrowers who keep books/items
beyond the loan period are subject to a fine of HK$1.00 per item
per day up to a maximum of HK$100.00.
A fine of HK$1.00 per hour will be charged for each reserve book overdue.
(b) Recall - The fines for not responding to recalls for all
categories of borrowers are as follows:
- HK$5.00 per item per day
- five working days after issuing of second recall: the Library
could take any appropriate action to retrieve the items.
Losses
Borrowers who fail to return books or who return books damaged
beyond repair will be charged the cost of replacement in addition
to the processing cost of HK$100.00 and any accumulated fines. Damaged books
and marked pages should be reported at the Circulation Desk as soon as
noticed.
Categories 4 to 6 borrowers who fail to return or renew books
after 120 days and three recalls will be subject to the above
charges, which will be sent to the Bursar's Office for collection.
Bags and briefcases may be brought into the Libraries whereas umbrellas
should be deposited on entering the libraries. No food or beverages may
be taken into the Library. On leaving the Library, all books, etc.,
may be inspected.
Infractions, such as smoking, shouting, use of mobile phones,
pagers, and other disturbances, are forbidden in all parts of
the Libraries. The Librarian or an appointed deputy may expel
from the Library building for the remainder of the day any person
who is acting to annoy others or who is damaging books or other
property. Payment must be made to cover all damages.
A gross breach of the Regulations may subject the borrower to
a loss of Library privileges.
(a) Overdue books - After normal recall procedures, a written
warning will be sent. If this is ignored, borrowing privileges
will be withheld in all the Libraries until the return of the
book(s) and the payment of accrued fines.
(b) Payment of charges - If a person refuses to pay any outstanding
charges (fines, replacement costs of damaged books or repair
of damaged property), all the Libraries will withhold his borrowing
privileges until the account is cleared.
(c) In case of materials which have not been charged out properly
at the Circulation Counter:
- The user's name will be recorded in the Library's register;
- The user's borrowing privilege will be suspended for eight weeks
from the day of violation;
- Compensation for the damage of the item if necessary;
- For the student, a letter to this effect will be issued by
the Library to the Faculty Dean, College Dean of Students, and
Department Chair to which the student belongs, and/or authority
concerned.
(d) Unreturned Library Materials
- The user's name will be recorded in the Library's register;
- An invoice will be sent to the user with the warning that
his borrowing privilege will be suspended if the books are
not returned or the account is not settled.
Repeated offenses may lead to a total loss of the privilege of using the
Libraries.
