Hong Kong Library Education and Career Forum 2006 Career Prospects in Hong Kong Public Libraries 19 August 2006 HKPL

Role and Function of Public Libraries  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 literary arts in Hong Kong ; and ▬ as a community cultural center

Libraries’ Network & Service Level  Hong Kong Central Library (1)  Major Libraries (5)  District Libraries (28)  Small Libraries (31)  Mobile Libraries (10) Total: 75

Staff Structure Professional Staff- Chief Librarian Senior Librarian Librarian Assistant Librarian Non-professional Staff- Library Officer / Clerical Officer Library Assistant / CSA / ACO

Job Specialization  Library Management ▬ Library planning and development ▬ Renovation program ▬ Library policy such as loan period, opening hours, borrowing limit, fees and charges ▬ Finance and supplies ▬ Human resources management

Job Specialization  Lending Services ▬ Patron registration ▬ Charging and discharging of library materials ▬ Reservation of library materials and interlibrary loans among branch libraries ▬ Conducting extension activities ▬ Answering general enquiries

Job Specialization  Reference Services ▬ Readers’ advisory service ▬ Newspaper and periodical services ▬ Electronic reference services ▬ 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, education and community organizations for promotion of public library services ▬ Preparing and publishing Promotional leaflets and publicity materials ▬ Publication of Library Newsletter

Job Specialization  Computer and Infra-structure Development ▬ Developing and maintaining the Library Automatic System and Multi-media Information System ▬ Providing support to Internet and multi-media information services

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

General Duties of Non-Professional Staff  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 and long hours

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

Assistant Librarian  Minimum Entry Qualifications: a. Hong Kong Degree or equivalent b. A valid pass in two language papers (use of Chinese and English) & the Aptitude Test in Common Recruitment Exam (CRE)

 Terms of Appointment: ▬ Civil service probationary terms for 3 years (3+3)  Monthly Salary: $15,215 (MPS 11) (w.e.f ) Assistant Librarian

Education & Training  Induction course and in-service training  Diploma in Librarianship program Librarian : Overseas training program

Library Officer  Minimum Entry Qualifications: ▬ 5 passes in HKCEE including English Language (Syll B), Chinese Language and Mathematics, or equivalent ▬ Certificate for Library Assistant + 5-yr. full time experience incl. 1-yr. in local and overseas library; OR 7-yr. full time experience incl. 2 to 4-yr. in local and overseas library

Library Officer  Minimum Entry Qualifications: ▬ Good computer knowledge in MS Word, MS Excel and Chinese inputting method  Term of Appointment: Non-civil Service Contract Terms  Monthly Salary: $12,300 (w.e.f )  Gratuity: 10%

Library Assistant  Minimum Entry Qualifications: ▬ 5 passes in HKCEE including English Language (Sys B), Chinese Language and Mathematics, or equivalent ▬ Good computer knowledge in MS Word, MS Excel and Chinese inputting method

Library Assistant  Term of Appointment: Non-civil Service Contract Terms  Monthly Salary: $7,700 (w.e.f )  Gratuity: 10%

Recruitment Advertisements  Newspapers  Library homepage at

The End Thank You