Hong Kong Library Education
and Career Forum
2010
Career in
Hong Kong Public Libraries
14 August 2010
HKPL
Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL)
 Operated by the Leisure and Cultural
Services Department (LCSD)
 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 (29)

Small Libraries (31)

Mobile Libraries (10)
Total : 76 (as at July 2010)
Libraries’ Network & Service Level
Functional Unit
 Administration Unit
 Computer Unit
 Technical Processing Unit
 Extension Activities Unit
 Planning & Development Unit
 District Council Management Unit
Staff Structure
Professional Staff

Chief Librarian

Senior Librarian

Librarian

Assistant Librarian
Staff Structure
Non-professional Staff

Library Officer / Clerical Officer

Library Assistant / Assistant Clerical
Officer / Cultural Services Assistant
Job Specialization
Professional Staff
 Library Management
 Lending & Reference Services
 Collection Development
 Technical Processing
 Marketing and Promotion
 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
 Readers’ enquiry service
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
 Technical Processing
 Familiarization with the book trade
 Acquisition of suitable library
materials
 Classification and cataloguing of
library materials
Job Specialization
 Marketing and Promotion
 Organizing extension activities and
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
 User education
Job Specialization

Library Automation and Infrastructure Development
 Developing and maintaining Library
Automation System (LAS) and
Multimedia Information System (MMIS)
 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
 Good reasoning
 Willing to work shifts
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 (AL)
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 (AL)
Terms of Appointment
1.
Civil service probationary terms for 3
years
2.
Upon passage of probation bar, he/she
may be considered for appointment on
the prevailing permanent terms.
3. Starting salary: $21,880 (MPS 14) w.e.f.
1.10.2010
Assistant Librarian (AL)
Education and Training

Induction course and in-service
training

Diploma in Librarianship Program

Overseas training program for Senior
Librarian
Library Officer (LO)
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 (LO)
Terms of Appointment
1.
Non-civil Service Contract Terms
2.
Monthly salary: $14,225
(w.e.f. 1.8.2010)
3.
Gratuity: 10%
Library Assistant (LA)
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 (LA)
Terms of Appointment
1.
Non-civil Service Contract Terms
2.
Monthly salary: $8,895
(w.e.f. 1.8.2010)
3.
Gratuity: 10%
Recruitment Advertisements
1.
Major local newspapers
2.
Homepages of :

Hong Kong Public Libraries
http://www.hkpl.gov.hk

Leisure and Cultural Services Dept.
http://www.lcsd.gov.hk

Civil Service Bureau
http://www.csb.gov.hk
The End
Thank You