How to renew library books/materials borrowed from the public libraries?

Contents

• Renewal Procedure
• Renewal Period

Holders of valid library cards issued by the Hong Kong Public Libraries, identity cards allowed for library purposes, or library cards or borrower's cards issued by the two former Municipal Council Public Libraries may borrow and return library book/materials at any public libraries in urban areas and the New Territories.  Each registered reader may borrow a maximum of ten items of library book/materials together with accompanying library materials, or a maximum of twenty items of back issues of periodicals.

Library books/materials from stationary libraries may be borrowed for 14 days, whereas books/materials from mobile libraries may be borrowed for 28 days ( Note 1).  Unless already reserved by another reader, each item may be renewed for up to five consecutive times.

Renewal Procedure

Readers may renew the items on the due date the latest through the following methods. Please note that every accompanying item (e.g. floppy disk, CD-ROM etc.) that comes with the library book/materials must be renewed separately:

• Use the 24-hour renewal service online at http://www.hkpl.gov.hk; for instructions please click here ;
• Use the official mobile application (“My Library”) of Hong Kong Public Libraries; for details please click here
• Use the 24-hour renewal service through the telephone at 2827 2833 or 2698 0002, for instructions please click here.  Readers using smart ID card to borrow materials should use the library card number, which was issued before, instead of the ID card number to log on to the telephone renewal system.
• Bring the library books/materials and its accompanying materials in person to any stationary library or mobile library ;
• Use OPAC terminal inside library or self-charging terminal ;

Readers may now renew overdue items online or through My Library mobile app.

The libraries do not accept books/materials renewal if renewal conditions cannot be met. The reasons will be displayed if the renewal is applied through the Internet. The reasons for unsuccessful renewal are as follows :

• Item has been reserved by another reader;
• Item has been continuously renewed for 5 times;
• The outstanding fines of the reader has exceeded the limit (adult: HK$130; junior: HK$25).

Since the item may have been reserved by another reader or cannot be renewed for other reasons, it is recommended that renewal by telephone, online or by mobile application be made at least one working day before the due date to allow time for the prompt return of the item in case the renewal is unsuccessful.

Renewal Period

• Renewal period of the books/materials from stationary libraries is 14 days for each time, whereas the renewal period of the books/materials from mobile libraries is 28 days for each time (Note 1);
• The new due date is calculated from the day the item is renewed, instead of calculating from the original due date. A new loan period of 14 days applies and will not be extended even if the item is renewed earlier.

Note 1: Public holidays and library closing days are inclusive in the loan period. However, the loan period will be extended if the due date falls on public holidays when all libraries are closed i.e. New Year's Day, Chinese New Year's Day and the following 2 days, Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Moreover, for materials borrowed from mobile libraries, the loan period will be extended (to the date when the mobile libraries will be in service to the same place next time) when there is suspension of service.