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Borrowing of Library Materials

Loan Quota and Period

Loan quota and loan period for books and media resources borrowed by different categories of users are stated in the Library Regulations. Serials and reference materials at the Run Run Shaw Library are not for loan. There is a limit on the number of items that can be placed (Book Request Quota) at any one time.

Loans

All materials must be properly checked out at the Circulation Counter or using the SelfCheck Units at different locations. The Selfcheck Units are available at the Circulation Counter, and Law Collection area. For borrowing purposes, users must present their valid identities as appropriate.

Renewals

  • Items of circulation nature, including books borrowed via ILL+HKALL but excluding short loan and media resources, may be renewed any number of times up to the maximum renewal period as stated below via CityUHK LibraryFind, provided that these items are not requested by other users. Items must be returned to the library when the renewal period expires.
    Loan Type Categories of Borrowers Loan Period Maximum Renewal Period
    Normal General Grade / Minor Staff & Undergraduate / Associate Degree Students / SCOPE - Affiliated Staff and Students of All Levels 30 days 180 days
    Academic / Teaching / Research / Administrative Staff & PG Students 120 days 720 days
    Others 30 days 90 days
    ILL+HKALL General Grade / Minor Staff & Undergraduate / Associate Degree Students 15 days 45 days
    Academic / Teaching / Research / Administrative Staff & PG Students 30 days 90 days
    Reserved (Course Reserves & Closed Access Collections) All 5 hours, 1 or 3 days No renewal
    Reserved (Media) All 1 day No renewal
    Media Resources Refer to Loan Quotas and Loan Periods for details Same day, 3 or 7 days No renewal

Renewal will NOT be accepted if:

  • An item is requested by another user.
  • The renewed date has exceeded the specified maximum renewal period from the date of the initial check-out.
  • The loan rule specifies that an item (e.g. a media resource or a short loan item) cannot be renewed at all.
  • A borrower has long overdue books or over $30 unpaid library fines.
  • A borrower whose borrowing privilege has been suspended or terminated.

To renew Library materials:

  1. Access My Library Account via CityUHK LibraryFind -> login with your EID and password -> then renew the desired items.
  2. Note the new due date(s) and any accrued overdue fines for the renewed item(s).
  3. If you do not know your EID, please contact the Circulation Counter in person for help.

Please note the following:

  • The new due dates are calculated from the date you renew the items.
  • Items may not be renewed successfully.
  • Overdue fine still applies to an item renewed after the 3-day grace period.
  • Accrued overdue fines, which will be calculated from the due date if items are renewed after the 3-day grace period, can be settled when you visit the Library next time.
  • Renewal is treated as a continuation of loan and thus will be subject to recall at any time.

Requesting Checked-out Items (Recall)

  • Users with borrowing privileges may recall on loan circulation books, excluding short loan items, via CityUHK LibraryFind by clicking the "Request" button after signing in with your EID and password.
  • Users will be notified by email when the requested item is available for pickup.

Please note the following:

  • The original loan period for the requested item may be shortened.
  • You CANNOT request an item that is currently borrowed by you.
  • If you no longer need an item, please go to My Library Account -> click "CANCEL" next to the item that you no longer need.

Requesting Materials from UGC-funded Libraries and Other Libraries

  • Interlibrary Loan (ILL) + HKALL Services
    • Eligible users of ILL + HKALL Services may borrow books that are NOT available at CityUHK Library and/or get photocopies of articles from other libraries via CityUHK LibraryFind after signing in with your EID and password.
  • JULAC Library Cards
    • Eligible users can apply for the Joint University Librarians Advisory Committee (JULAC) Library Cards to access the libraries of the other participating UGC institutions.

Return

All circulating books and media resource items should be returned on or before the due date to the Circulation Counter. Book drops are located near the Circulation Counter, the Library exit and at the Student Residence (outside Hall 7-Jockey Club Harmony Hall) for users to return circulating books. Media resource items can also be returned via the Media Return drop box outside the Library and at the Student Residence.

Fines and Charges

Late return of books is liable to a fine as stipulated in the Library Regulations. Consult the Library Regulations for more information on library fines, charges, overdues, lost and damaged materials, billing, and blocks.

Payment Methods

In Person Payments

Library fines and fees can be settled at the Library Circulation Counter during counter service hours using the following payment methods:

  • Octopus card
  • Cash
  • Personal cheque

Online Payments

Please note that the online payment service will be temporarily unavailable until further notice. During this period, all library fines and fees must be settled in person at the Library Circulation Counter.

Email Notices

In line with the University's emphasis on and practice of electronic communication, all check-out and check-in receipts, as well as all pre-overdue, overdue, renewal, recall and reservation notices from the Library are sent to CityUHK members' registered email addresses in the University's central database. Under normal circumstances, the email accounts should be in one of the following formats:

For students, your CityUHK email account is in this format:
eid-c@my.cityu.edu.hk
e.g. tmchan8-c@my.cityu.edu.hk (if your eid is tmchan8)

For staff members, your CityUHK email account is in this format:
eid@cityu.edu.hk
e.g. lbpeter@cityu.edu.hk (if your eid is lbpeter)

For alumni, if you have not provided your personal email address in AIMS, your default CityUHK alumni free email account is in this format:
eid-c@my.cityu.edu.hk (Office 365)
e.g. tmchan8-c@my.cityu.edu.hk (if your eid is tmchan8)

For users who still prefer using non-CityUHK email accounts to receive library notices, please use the Set up Email Forwarding function in the CityUHK email account to re-direct messages from the Library to the preferred email account. For details, please go to the University's web page on email services at http://email.cityu.edu.hk/home/ and click on "Account Management".