The Library is committed to providing services and facilities to accommodate users with special needs. It works closely with other units on campus (e.g. Office of Student Affairs) to create an accessible environment based on equal opportunity.
1. Need help now
Ask at the User Services Counter, give us a call, or send an email:
| Phone | ||
| Main Library | 3411-7444 | libcir@hkbu.edu.hk |
| Chinese Medicine Library | 3411-2714 | libcm@hkbu.edu.hk |
2. Getting assistance
- Personal helper
Users may be accompanied by a helper to assist in their use of the Library. Please inform duty staff at the entrance. - Staff support
Duty staff can guide you to entrances, lifts, rooms, and counters.
3. Library services
- Shelf retrieval assistance:
Library staff can retrieve books and other items from the open shelves for SEN users referred by the Office of Student Affairs.- How to request: Ask at the User Services Counter, call, or email in advance with your name, student/staff ID, item details, and preferred pickup time.
- Pickup point: User Services Counter at the Main Library (or specify alternate library if applicable).
- Users with disabilities receive priority at service counters in both libraries.
4. Accessing the Library
- The wheelchair-accessible entrance is located to the left of Shaw Tower on Junction Road, providing access to the Main Library and other facilities on the Shaw Campus.
- The wheelchair-accessible entrance is located to the left of Shaw Tower on Junction Road, providing access to the Main Library and other facilities on the Shaw Campus.
- The Main Library’s lift is equipped with Braille markers and an audible multilingual messaging system. It provides access to all public levels (Level 2 to Level 7). Directional tactile paving is installed along the path across the main entrance to the lift, as well as to the Special Needs User Room on Level 4.
- Two accessible lifts on Level 6 and 7 to mezzanine floors. Users with a common access key can operate them; ask at the User Services Counter if you need assistance.
- Wayfinding: Directional tactile paving leads from the main entrance to the lift, Special Needs User Rooms, and the Multimedia Learning Centre (Level 4).
5. Accessible washrooms
| Main Library | Level 2; Levels 4-7 |
| Chinese Medicine Library | 2/F, School of Chinese Medicine Building (Outside of the Chinese Medicine Library) |
6. Special Needs User Room (Main Library, Level 4)
Equipped with assistive furniture and technology, the Special Needs User Rooms are located on Level 4 of the Main Library. The facilities include:
- Adjustable Furniture
- Tables and chairs with adjustable height are available for wheelchair users.
- Braille System
- Six Braille displays and two Braille printers are available for users with visual impairment.
- Chinese Input Software
- EasyDots (點寫易) designed for users with visual impairment.
- Magnifying Devices
- Both electronic and hand-held magnifiers are available to enlarge print materials.
- OCR and Braille Translation Software
- Supporting both Chinese and English, optical character recognition (OCR) software is available to convert text from scanned documents into machine-readable format. They can then be translated into Braille if necessary
- Printer, Scanner & Multimedia Equipment
- The study room is also equipped with its own printer, scanners, and multimedia equipment for convenient access
- Screen reading software
- Non-visual Desktop Access (NVDA) and JAWS help users with visual impairment navigate the computer desktop by synthesizing speech from on-screen text.
The service hours of the Special Needs User Rooms are the same as the service hours of the Main Library. For enquiries or special arrangements, please call 3411-5239 or libms@hkbu.edu.hk.
7. Academic support
- Appointments can be arranged to assist users with special needs in utilizing Library resources and services.
- For Library instruction, the Library usually receives information from the Academic Registry in advance about students requiring special needs, and the instructor will make appropriate arrangements accordingly.
| Phone | ||
| Main Library | 3411-7444 | libcir@hkbu.edu.hk |
| Chinese Medicine Library | 3411-2714 | libcm@hkbu.edu.hk |
8. Other campus libraries
- For Shek Mun Campus Library facilities, follow this link.
Last updated: 09 March 2026