Hong Kong Library Education and Career Forum 2008 Career Prospects in Hong Kong Public Libraries 16 August 2008 HKPL

Hong Kong Public Libraries  Operated by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department  Provide free public library services in Hong Kong  to meet the community needs for information, lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and recreation

Role and Function of Public Libraries  as an information center  as a medium and resource center for self-education and continuing education  as a center for the promotion of reading & literary arts in Hong Kong ; and  as a community cultural center

Libraries’ Network & Service Level Types of Libraries  Hong Kong Central Library (1)  Major Libraries (5)  District Libraries (28)  Small Libraries (32)  Mobile Libraries (10) Total : 76 Total : 76

Libraries’ Network & Service Level Functional Unit  Administration Unit  Computer Unit  Technical Processing Unit  Extension Activities Unit

Staff Structure Professional Staff  Chief Librarian  Senior Librarian  Librarian  Assistant Librarian

Staff Structure Non-professional Staff  Library Officer / Clerical Officer  Library Assistant / Asst. Clerical Officer / Cultural Services Assistant

Job Specialization Professional Staff  Library Management  Lending & Reference Services  Collection Development  Marketing and Promotion  Technical Processing  Library Automation & Infra- structure System

Job Specialization  Library Management  Library planning and development  Renovation program  Operational issues such as loan period, opening hours, fees and charges  Finance and supplies  Human resources management

Job Specialization  Lending Services  Patron registration  Charging and discharging of library materials  Readers’ reservation of library materials  Conducting extension activities  Answering general enquiries  User Education

Job Specialization  Reference Services  Readers’ advisory service  Newspaper and periodical service  Electronic reference service  Specialized library collections  Interlibrary loan with other institutions

Job Specialization  Collection Development  Establish the needs of readers and formulate policies for selection, acquisition and weeding  Participate in the selection of library materials  Undertake stock editing work

Job Specialization  Marketing and Promotion  Organizing outreach programs for promotion of reading and literary arts  Close liaison with schools, cultural and community organizations for promotion of public library services  Preparing and publishing promotional leaflets, publicity materials and library newsletter

Job Specialization  Technical Processing  Familiarization with the book trade  Acquisition of suitable library materials  Classification and cataloguing of library materials

Job Specialization  Library Automation and Infra- structure Development  Developing and maintaining Library Automation System and Multi-media Information System  Providing support to Internet and multi-media information services  E-services

General Duties of Non-professional Staff Library Officer / Library Assistant  Handling circulation (charging and discharging), shelving and processing of library materials  General enquiry service  Clerical duties  Maintain library order

Quality and Skills Required for Professional Staff  Proactive and with social awareness  Amicable and patient  Open-minded  Agility and flexible  Willing to work shifts  Good reasoning

Quality and Skills Required for Professional Staff  Subject knowledge  Skills in information technology  Language skills  Management and Interpersonal skills  Dynamic and well-organized  Aptitude for strategic planning

Assistant Librarian Minimum Entry Qualifications Minimum Entry Qualifications 1. A degree from a Hong Kong university, or equivalent; and 2. “Level 2 “in the two language papers (Use of Chinese and Use of English) and a Pass result in the Aptitude Test in the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE)

Assistant Librarian Terms of Appointment Terms of Appointment 1. Civil service probationary terms for 3 years (3+3) 2. Monthly salary: $22,880 (MPS 16) w.e.f

Assistant Librarian Education and Training Education and Training  Induction course and in-service training  Diploma in Librarianship Program  Overseas training program for senior Librarian

Library Officer Minimum Entry Qualifications 1. 5 passes in HKCEE including English Language (Syl. B), Chinese Language and Mathematics, or equivalent; AND 2. a) Certificate for Library Assistant plus 5 years full-time working experience, including 1 year library experience; OR b) 7 years of full-time working experience, including 4 years of library experience 3. Good computer knowledge, e.g. MS word, MS Excel and Chinese inputting method

Library Officer Terms of Appointment Terms of Appointment 1. Non-civil Service Contract Terms 2. Monthly salary: $13,835 (w.e.f ) 3. Gratuity: 15%

Library Assistant Minimum Entry Qualifications Minimum Entry Qualifications 1. 5 passes in HKCEE including English Language (Syl. B), Chinese Language and Mathematics, or equivalent; 2. 1 year of full-time post qualification working experience; and 3. Good computer knowledge, e.g. MS Word, MS Excel and Chinese inputting method

Library Assistant Terms of Appointment Terms of Appointment 1. Non-civil Service Contract Terms 2. Monthly salary: $8,655 (w.e.f ) 3. Gratuity: 10%

Recruitment Advertisements 1. Major local newspapers 2. Homepages of :  Hong Kong Public Libraries  Leisure and Cultural Services Dept.  Civil Service Bureau

The End Thank You