Hong Kong Library Education and Career Forum

2006

Career Prospects in

Hong Kong Public Libraries

19 August 2006

HKPLHKPL

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.1.7.2006)

Assistant Librarian

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.1.8.2006)

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. 1.8.2006)

Gratuity: 10%

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Newspapers Library homepage at

<http://www.hkpl.gov.hk>

The End Thank You