IX. LIBRARY

        Founded in 1956, the University Library moved to the present
        six-storey Library building in 1995.  As of 1999, the Library has
        a collection of over 610,000 books and bound periodicals in 7,000
        titles.  There are also 54,000 items of materials in other formats.
        Titles in Western languages are classified according to the Dewey
        Decimal Classification, and Chinese titles according to the New
        Classification Scheme for Chinese Libraries.  With the
        introduction of Hong Kong’s first full-time degree programme in
        Chinese medicine by the University in Autumn 1998, the Library
        has established a Chinese medicine collection.  Other special
        collections include the Contemporary China Research Collection,
        the Archive on the History of Christianity in China and European
        Documentation Centre.

1.	Service Hour

        The service hours of the Library are determined by the Librarian
        according to the demand for library use and staff availability.
        Details of service hours are displayed at the entrance of the
        Library and posted on the Library's home page.
 
2.	Library Automation

        The Library has been fully computerized since 1986.  To search
        the Library’s holdings, multi-purpose PCs are available on all
        levels of the Library.  Assistance in using the PCs for searching
        is available at the Information Desk on Level 3.  The system
        displays details of Chinese and English books and shows whether
        they are available for loan.  Reservations for and renewal of
        books can be made by using the respective online request functions
        of the library system.  Remote connection to the library online
        catalogue can also be done conveniently via the Library home page.

3.	Interlibrary Loan and Use of Other Local Libraries

        This service is offered to academic and equivalent administrative
        staff members, teaching assistants and research assistants who
        wish to obtain materials from other local and overseas
        institutions.  Eligible users can send their requests in by fax
        and by campus mail using electronic request form on our web site.
        In addition, the Joint University Libraries Advisory Committee
        (JULAC) library card may be applied for at the Information Desk
        for borrowing books from any of the libraries of the UGC
        institutions.

4.	Electronic Resources

        The Library currently subscribes to a number of bibliographic
        databases, electronic journals, and online full-text electronic
        databases on a variety of subjects, including Electronic Reference
        Library (ERL) databases that allow multiple searching and provide
        linkage to our library holdings using one uniform retrieval
        interface.  To provide quality and efficient information services
        to library users, these electronic resources are accessible via
        the Library home page at "http:www.hkbu.edu.hk/lib".  In addition,
        users have access to OCLC’s FirstSearch databases, the online
        Encyclopedia Britannica, the WiseNews’s online news service and
        selected Internet resources at the upgraded multipurpose PCs in
        the Library for online searching and downloading.

5.	Reserve Collection

        From time to time teaching staff members may wish to place some
        books on Reserve for students' reading assignments.  Generally
        books stay on Reserve for one semester at a time. However, in
        some circumstances, longer reserve periods may be arranged with
        the Supervisor of the Circulation Section.  Request forms are
        available at the Circulation Counter.

6.	Photocopying Service

        A number of photocopying machines are installed on each floor of
        the Library.  Users can purchase stored-value copy cards from the
        Circulation Counter.  Copyright law should be observed.

7.	Request for Purchase

        Teaching staff are encouraged to make recommendation for purchase
        of monographs and subscription for journals within the budgeted
        fund allotment and course requirement via the departmental co-
        ordinators and the liaison librarians. Book recommendation can
        also be made online via our Library home page.  Generally,
        current course textbooks and multiple copies of the same title
        are not encouraged unless they are well justified. All recommended
        titles should be checked against the library holdings before
        sending to the Library for purchase in order to avoid duplication
        and unnecessary delay.

8.	Orientation Tours

        Library orientation tours are conducted every year for new staff
        and freshmen.  Specialized tours may also be arranged through the
        Supervisor of the User Education and Special Collections Section.

9.	Faculty Reading Rooms

        Individual reading rooms are available for faculty and
        administrative equivalent staff.  Reservation at the
        Circulation Counter are required.

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