The Oval

The Oval is part of the Learning Commons. It is established with the intention to provide students with state-of-the-art PC equipment and also integrated reference and IT assistance to facilitate their collaborative learning and studies. Students can use the PC workstations and also the software provided to work on their assignments together. Strategically located near the Reference Collection, the computer area within the Oval provides students with the proximity to essential printed references for their research. The combined help desks opposite to the Oval also provide instant technical and information support to users in need.

Facilities and Services

PCs and Software

84 PC workstations equipped with a wide range of software tools including word processing, spreadsheets, presentation, graphics, desk top publishing, web authoring, statistical analysis and programming languages, etc. are available here. For details, please visit the software list of Computing Services Centre (CSC). New service policies for PCs inside the Oval will be put in place with effect from 28 April 2008. Advance booking for Oval seats 1-72 is available to eligible patrons via the Library Room, Carrel PC Workstation Booking System. Oval seats A-L are served on a first come, first served basis. Please see Rules for Reserving Oval and Information Space Workstation and Steps to Access Booking System for details.

Printing Services

All PC workstations are connected to two laser printers. The two Octopus-Card-operated network printers are located at the outside rim of the Oval to provide fast printing services for users at the Oval. The printing charge is HK$ 0.3 per page for A-4 Black & White and HK$ 3.0 per page for A-4 Color. Also, there are two PC workstations next to the Octopus-Card-operated network printers dedicated to Fast Printing Service.

PCs for Different User Groups

Current CityU staff and students can use the PC workstations within the Oval by logging in with their CityU Electronic ID.

Alumni and outsiders such as JULAC card holders can use the PCs adjacent to the Reference Desk. Users not using materials checked out from the Media Collection can choose to use the 9 PC workstations numbered Media 01 to Media 09. Users with materials checked out from the Media Collection, however, will have the priority to use the rest of workstations (Media 10 to Media 24) in the area.

Users with disabilities have the priority to use seat F, J-L within the Oval. "Priority Seating" signages indicating the priority of use by users with disabilities have been posted at the seats concerned.

IT Help Desk and Reference Desk

The combined help desk made up of the IT Help Desk and the Reference Desk provides technical and reference assistance to the users.

For technical enquiries, please contact IT Help Desk at 3442-6963 during its service hours.

For reference enquiries, please contact the Reference Desk at 3442-6415 during its service hours.

Opening Hours

* Opening hours/counter service hours are subject to change during breaks and holidays. Please refer to the latest announcement of the Library.