Circulation Services (Library FAQ)
From Lingnan Wikipedia
Loan Periods
How many books can I borrow? How long can I borrow them?
The loan quota and loan period vary among different categories of users. Click here for detailed information.
Why is the loan period of my book shortened?
It is because someone has recalled your book. Books charged out are subject to recall 14 days after they have been charged out.
If there are more than 1 hold to any item, the loan period will be shortened to 1 week for students and 2 weeks for staff and postgraduate students.
Renewals
How can I renew a book online?
View your circulation records at http://www.library.ln.edu.hk/webpac/view_cir.html. Mark the item(s) you want to renew and click the "renew selected items" button. Make sure the process is completed with no error messages. Then jot down the new due date for your own reference.
How many times can I renew a book? For how long?
It depends on the type of materials and your user status. Please refer to the loan quotas & loan periods for details.
Why can’t I renew a book?
Most common reasons include:
- Only users of Borrower Type A and B can renew a book.
- Someone has recalled the book.
- You have reached the maximum number of times of renewal.
- The book is overdue.
For assistance, please contact the Circulation Counter at 2616 8586 or email cirstaff@ln.edu.hk.
Holds
How can I request for a book that is being checked out?
Find and display the book information with the Library Catalogue. If a book is checked out, click the "Request / Hold" button. The book will be held for you for three days on the hold shelf after it is returned.
How do I know whether a book I requested has been returned to the Library?
When the book is returned, it will be held on the hold shelf for three days for you if you are the first in the hold queue. You should check your circulation records (http://www.library.ln.edu.hk/webpac/view_cir.html) or email account to see if your requested item(s) has arrived. If there are item(s) held for you, you will see a "display held items" button in your circulation record.
In addition, you may sign up for the Library notice SMS alert service and get notified when the requested book is ready. For details, see http://www.library.ln.edu.hk/sms/
Overdue Fines
If I return a book late, how much overdue fines I have to pay?
That would depend on the kind of library material, original loan period and how late it is returned. Click here for details.
I have an item overdue. Can I still borrow books?
Yes. You can still borrow books. However, it is suggested that you should return the overdue item as soon as possible to prevent owing too much fines. You won't be able to borrow any more books if your overdue fine reaches certain limit.
I cannot borrow books with fines in my account. Why?
Patron accounts with overdue fines equal to five dollars or more will be temporarily blocked for further borrowing. You should clear the fines in order to resume your borrowing privilege.
Do I have to pay additional fines if my book is overdue and is recalled by someone?
No. The Library does not charge extra fines for such items. Overdue fine rate is counted as usual (See the Table for Overdue Fines).
If I put an overdue book in the book drop, how is the fine calculated?
If you put the overdue book in the book drop after the library is closed, fines will be counted up to the date you put it in the book drop.
Circulation Record
Can I find out how many books I have borrowed? When are my books due?
Go to the Online Catalogue main menu (http://www.library.ln.edu.hk/webpac/) and click the link "My Circulation Record".
PIN
What is a PIN? Is it the same as my barcode?
The Library PIN (Personal identification number) is a personal password for additional privacy protection. It is different from the barcode on your staff / student ID card. It is required for requesting books through HKALL. The default PIN is the first 4 digits of your HKID (eg. If your HKID is A123456(7), the PIN would be 1234). If you do not have a HKID number, the last 4 digits of your Bar Code would be your PIN.
How to change my PIN?
- Login to your user account from “My Circulation Record”
- Click “Modify your PIN”
- Enter your old PIN.
- Enter your new PIN.
- Enter the new PIN again to confirm.
- Click the SUBMIT button.
I have forgotten my PIN and I cannot use HKALL. Please help.
Should you forget your PIN, please ask for help at the Circulation Counter (TEL: 2616-8586, Email: cirstaff@ln.edu.hk).
Loss of Library Items
I have lost a book borrowed from the library. What should I do? Can I replace the book by buying the book myself?
Borrowers are responsible for any loss of or damage to items charged out. You should report at the Library Counter and fill in a “Record of Lost Item” form. You are liable for the cost of the replacement (If the cost of replacement cannot be verified (e.g. gift or out of print title), an average book price of HK$500 will be charged), a processing fee (HK$100), and the accumulated overdue fine.
You can buy the book by yourself or the Library will purchase it for you. Please note that processing fee is still charged even if you buy the item yourself.
I found the lost book after I’ve reported loss of item in the Library. Can I cancel the lost record?
If you find the book after the Library has already placed the order and the vendor can cancel the order or the book is out of print, the Library will take the book back. Item cost will be refunded.
Under any of the following circumstances, the Library will not take the lost book back:
- Vendor cannot cancel the order.
- The book is damaged.
All the not acceptable items will be returned to the user.
Problems Finding Items on Shelf
Why can't I find a book indicated as "AVAILABLE" on the computer screen?
The book is marked as "AVAILABLE" because nobody has checked out the book. Usually, you did not find the book because:
- You may be looking at the wrong place. Make sure you are not looking for a Chinese book at the English collection. Pay attention to any prefix in front of the call numbers (e.g. LBK, REF, SER) which suggests a location.
- Somebody else is using it; it is left on a study desk / return cart waiting for reshelving. You may try again at a later time.
- It could be misshelved or lost. If you have tried to look for the book a few times without success, you may fill out a search request form and we shall search for the book for you.
