The University Libraries is a central facility for research and knowledge discovery, and since its establishment in 1912, has been committed to providing the information infrastructure to support the research needs of the University community. Postgraduates are encouraged to take advantage of the library facilities and services available to make the research process an enjoyable and fruitful experience.

The Libraries consists of the Main Library and six branch libraries. They provide access to a collection, in print and electronic formats, honed for the research needs of the University community. The Libraries' strong and comprehensive collections contain rare books, cover a total stock of 2.96* million bound volumes, a substantial holding of audio-visual items and a rich and rapidly expanding collection of e-resources, including 55,848* e-journal subscriptions, 3.5* million e-books and 691* e-databases. Apart from receiving copies of books and periodicals printed in Hong Kong under the provisions of the Books Registration Ordinance, the Libraries has also been designated as an official depository for the publications of a number of international organizations, namely the Asian Development Bank, the European Union, the World Trade Organization, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

Housed in the new and old wings of the Main Library Building, the Main Library contains over 1,400,699* bound volumes of Western-language materials, mostly on open access and classified according to the Dewey Decimal Classification, and is particularly strong in its collection on China and the Far East. Many unique and valuable items are placed in its Rare Book Room and the Hung On-To Memorial Library, the latter of which comprises a comprehensive collection of materials on Hong Kong. Also housed in the Main Library Building (Old Wing) is the Fung Ping Shan Library. It is the oldest of the six branch libraries and has a focus in Oriental-language materials, principally Chinese. Its collection amounts to over 1,033,236* bound volumes, including many rare items and a wide range of journals from China. Japanese and Korean materials are also collected.

The branch libraries for Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Education and Music are located adjacent to the teaching departments which they support. The Yu Chun Keung Medical Library is located in the Faculty of Medicine Building, Sassoon Road, and has a stock of over 226,349* volumes with extensive collections on biomedical and health sciences. The Lui Che Woo Law Library is housed on the first and second floors of the Cheng Yu Tung Tower and has a total stock of about 134,711* volumes, with emphasis on Commonwealth law materials and the PRC and Southeast Asian jurisdictions. The Dental Library is located at the Prince Philip Dental Hospital at Sai Ying Pun. It comprises a stock of over 62,657* items, and is particularly strong in its holdings on dentistry. The Education Library is located on the eighth floor of Meng Wah Complex and has a stock of over 65,627* volumes, with vast collections on teaching support and curriculum materials. Due to space restrictions, periodicals and publications on the theory of education are housed in the Main Library. The Music Library on the eleventh floor, Run Run Shaw Tower has a stock of over 37,135* volumes including bound periodicals, scores and audio-visual items.

Postgraduates will particularly appreciate the Libraries’ rapidly expanding collection of digital resources, which are constantly reviewed to align with the latest information technology and made accessible through the most convenient channels available. Most of the bibliographic and full-text databases are accessible from the Libraries Homepage with the e-collection of books, journals and news readily retrievable at the desktop. Postgraduates may use ezproxy for authenticated remote access to these e-resources.

The Libraries offers a learning commons style facility on Level 3 to provide a range of learning spaces suitable to different learning styles including reflective self-study as well as collaborative study in small and large groups. The Technology Zone offers 85 internet connected computers with installed software applications in support of study and research. With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, students can efficiently search the wealth of e-resources and produce their assignments or projects with the software provided. The Collaboration Zone provides an environment that fosters group discussion. 19 discussion rooms are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, such as interactive whiteboard, webcam, HD camcorder, and interactive TV panel. Students may also wish to seek advice from professional librarians on duty who will be happy to show users how to navigate through the massive amount of information, identify useful resources and integrate them into their study and research. It is hoped that through this learning process users will be empowered to meet the many challenges of this knowledge-based era. Users can use their notebook computers in the Main and Branch Libraries to connect to the campus network and take full advantage of the technology in learning and research.
*as at 30 June 2013

Postgraduates may borrow 180 volumes and six audio-visual items. They may also charge out periodicals which are not available for loan to undergraduates. Bound periodicals housed in Hing Wai Storage can be borrowed for a period of up to fourteen days; bound periodicals in open stacks for three days; and unbound issues of periodicals for one day.

Single study rooms and research carrels are available in the Main Library for reservation by Higher Degree students who often require a quiet environment to conduct long hours of research. Booking is available at “BOOK A SPACE” in http://lib.hku.hk/level3/.

An inter-library loans service is also available to postgraduate students wishing to obtain materials not in stock at the Libraries. Requests may be made for the loan of books or photocopies of periodical articles from local and overseas libraries. In an effort to support research needs, the Libraries will subsidise all current HKU postgraduates in procuring materials through the interlibrary loans service. The Libraries has also started an Overseas Book Loan Initiative from January 6, 2002. Any interlibrary loans on books which cannot be found from local sources will be purchased via another set aside fund. If the purchase fails in five days, the Libraries will obtain these books from overseas libraries through interlibrary loans. The Libraries will bear all costs incurred. Hong Kong Academic Library Link (HKALL), an interlibrary loan service, was introduced in 2004. Through HKALL, all students can request books from all academic libraries funded by the University Grants Committee.

Postgraduate students are eligible to apply for JULAC (Joint University Libraries Advisory Committee) Cards which will enable them to use and borrow from the libraries of local UGC-funded tertiary institutions. Books borrowed from these local libraries may also be returned to the interlibrary loan counter of the Lending Services Division at the Main Library for despatch to the lending libraries. To allow time for despatch, books must be returned at least two working days before the due date. It should however be noted that students using other libraries are bound by the regulations of such libraries and will be required to pay fines for overdue books at the rate set by the libraries concerned. Application for the JULAC Cards can be made online at http://lib.hku.hk>e-forms> Library cards application>JULAC Card Application Form. Please bring a passport size photograph when you pick up the JULAC Borrower's Card at the Registration Desk, Main Library.

Postgraduate Library Workshop is arranged before the commencement of the academic year to equip new admits to the postgraduate programmes with the necessary information skills. Through these workshops, students will be able to know more about the library facilities and services and, more importantly, the information resources and the search skills to effectively find pertinent information in support of their research and study. Offer of these workshops will start in mid-August and usually fill up very quickly. Registration is available online at http://lib.hku.hk/general/instruction/.

Research Consultation Service is a personal research consultation service offered by our librarians in specialised subjects on effective information research pertaining to specific research projects. The service is provided via appointment during office hours. Visit http://lib.hku.hk/mainlib/reference/research_consult.html for more information.

Students should produce their Student Registration Cards as proof of identity at the entrance to gain admission to the Libraries. To prevent unlawful use by another person, loss of the Student Registration Card must be reported as soon as possible to the Academic Services Office. Students have to fill in an “Application form for replacement” and present it to the Registration Counter of the Main Library where staff will immediately suspend the borrowing privilege of the lost card. Once a replacement card is issued to a student by the Registry, he/she may resume the use of library services by completing the registration of the new card at the Registration Counter of the Main Library. Students should be aware that all library correspondences including recall, overdue, pickup and coming due reminders will be sent to the email address provided by the Information Technology Services of the University of Hong Kong. It is the responsibility for the student to check this email address and his/her circulation record frequently. Students should also note that they must notify the Academic Development and Quality Assurance Section immediately of any change of home or correspondence address by the HKU Portal.

For further information, students may wish to consult the Libraries Homepage at http://lib.hku.hk or seek individual assistance from the Information Services Division by email at libis@hku.hk or by telephone at 2859 2203 or SMS 5131 2209.

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