Self-Service, So Easy

Let us take a look at the eight major self-service facilities offered by the Macao Public Library. Have you ever used any of them?

 

1. Self Check Machine

 

1. Self Check Machine

Users may check out or return books by scanning their Library Card or Macao ID Card via the integrated card reader. A user can check out a maximum of five books and can also review their check-out status through the machine, saving time from waiting for services at the traditional service counter.

 　

24-Hour Book Drop

 

2. 24-Hour Book Drop

Free of any restrictions from library opening hours, users may return books through the Book Drop even early in the morning. However, please note that the books should be placed in the Book Drop one by one.

Book Sterilizer

 

3. Book Sterilizer

Users may use the Book Sterilizer to sterilize the covers and inside pages of books.

 　

Desktop Electronic Magnifier

 

4. Desktop Electronic Magnifier

The Magnifier provides 100 times magnification and is attached with an adjustable table for the convenience of reading and writing.

Book Scanner

 

5. Book Scanner

Users may use the Book Scanner to scan book pages into image or PDF files and store them on a USB drive.

 　

Photocopier

 

6. Photocopier

Through the machines, users can make photocopies or print out materials by using the libraries’ computers and pay by Macau Pass conveniently.

Blu-Ray Player

 

7. Blu-Ray Player

The Player is located in the Audiovisual Room of some branch libraries. Users may play the discs borrowed from the library.

 　

Self-Service Kiosk

 

8. Self-Service Kiosk

A convenient self-service kiosk launched by IC in collaboration with the Identification Services Bureau. Residents only need to insert their ID cards into the machine and have their fingerprints verified, can then apply for or renew Library Cards with the process taking just 5 minutes top. There are more than 50 locations all over the city.

Electronic Resources in Hand

You may enjoy a relaxing online reading experience by visiting the ‘Electronic Resources’ page on the website of Macao Public Library by using a smartphone or computer. Most of the materials can be accessed all day long. 

E-Books Electronic Magazines & Newspapers Electronic Databases
HyRead ebook1 
Udn Library1
iRead eBook1
Super Bookcity2
China Digital Library1		 HyRead eMagazine1
Flipster1
Harvard Business Review (Chinese Version)1
Dragonsource Digital Magazine Reading Platform1
Common Wealth Magazine Group Archive1
National Geographic Virtual Library1
EBSCO Newspaper Source Plus1
China Core Newspapers Full-text Database1
Hans Publishers Open Access Chinese Academic Journals
The Historical Archive of Va Kio Daily3		 Wanfang Data1
airiti Library1
GALE IN CONTEXT | Environmental Studies1
EBSCO Consumer Health Information – Traditional Chinese1
GALE PRIMARY SOURCES｜Archives Unbound1
WiseNews4
Children's Learning Special Collection Database Digital Collection
National Geographic Kids1
Little Kiss eBook1
GALE IN CONTEXT | Elementary1
GALE EBOOK1
Kiss Nature Kids' Story Garden1		 Collection of Father Manuel Teixeira’s Works
450 Years of Sino-Portuguese Relations
Exhibition of Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Literary Works
Exhibition of Rare Book of Macao Public Library  
Exhibition of Ancient Chinese and Foreign Languages Dictionaries
Exhibition of Literary Works on Matteo Ricci		 Database of Foreign Language Periodicals Collection4
Database of Posters Collection4
Database of Macao Newspaper Clippings during the Second Sino-Japanese War4

Notes:

1. Users accessing online reading materials in Macao are not required to log in (except when accessing through the intranet of some universities and colleges as well as government institutions).

2. An independent account is required to be created on the resource platform (the institution code is ‘gov’ for users in Macao).

3. Only available within Macao Central Library, Sir Robert Ho Tung Library and Taipa Library.

4. Only available within branch libraries (except for Wong Ieng Kuan Children’s Library in Areia Preta Urban Park).

Access Public Library Services from Home – Mobile application ‘My Library’ Comes into Use

The Macao Public Library has never slowed pace throughout the course of smart library development, and the newly launched mobile application ‘My Library’ marks a milestone in their progress. In addition to bringing convenience to readers, the application also marks an upgrade to the services which allows readers to learn about the Library’s latest news, measures and opening hours immediately without searching the Library’s official website, thus enhancing the quality of self-services.

Books and the City now takes the initiative to call the Library’s hotline.

 

Books and the City: Hello, librarian. We want to know more about the major functions of the application ‘My Library’. Is there anything that we need to pay special attention to?

Librarian: Thank you for calling and I am pleased to answer your questions.

First of all, please pay attention to the function My Reservations on the homepage after logging in: when a reader reserves items from different libraries, the application will list the items in groups to show whether they are available at the designated libraries.  

Now click onto the ‘My Reservations’ …

Books and the City: I see it – the books that I reserved a few days ago are ready for pickup!

Librarian: That's right. Next is the Return Deadline Reminder: in addition to an SMS reminder on the due date of an item, you can also set the application to send a reminder three days prior to the due date, and an overdue notice on the first day after the due date, so that you will not miss the return deadline even though you are busy and lead to overdue fines.


Click ‘Notification Settings’ and the following window will pop up…

Books and the City: Once, I had to go on a business trip on the due date of my book was due to be returned. I failed to return the book on time and I was fined. With this function, it is now much more convenient.

Librarian: That's right. You can check many other personal information through the application, such as checkout history, total fines. etc. Is there any other functions that you want to know about? 

Books and the City: Yes. I frequently forget to bring my Library Card. Can I borrow books with the Electronic Library Card in this application?

Librarian: Yes, you can. Readers can now use the Library’s services with the Electronic Library Card function. That is, you can come to the Library just with your mobile phone, and you do not need to present your identity document or physical Library Card.

Books and the City: Thank you for your time, I have a much clearer understanding now. Let me try out every function of the application.

 Librarian: My pleasure. Please feel free to call us again if you have any questions. Have a good day!

Barrier-free Reading

Lo hopes that the ‘Reading Device for the Visually-impaired’ can bring a better reading experience to people in need.

Lo hopes that the ‘Reading Device for the Visually-impaired’ can bring a better reading experience to people in need.

 

The Macao Public Library plans to install brand-new ‘Reading Device for the Visually-impaired’ in the Macao Central Library, Patane Library, Ilha Verde Library and Taipa Library in the third quarter of this year, enabling readers in need to enjoy a wider variety of books.

Lo Chi Keong, head of the Division of Reader Services and Promotion under the Department of Public Library Management of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, noted that as part of the ‘Ten-year Plan for Rehabilitation Services of the Macao Special Administrative Region from 2016 to 2025’, the introduction of ‘Reading Device for the Visually-impaired’ is aimed at reducing barriers for visually-impaired people in reading so that they can have more choices at the library.

Meanwhile, it is found that braille books for visually-impaired people are published and updated slower than other books, thereby limiting the range of choices to a certain extent. Having exchanged views with and considered the opinions of the relevant associations, the Library hopes to facilitate people with special needs to enjoy reading whenever they want, with the latest, high-precision model of ‘Reading Device for the Visually-impaired’.

The ‘Reading Device for the Visually-impaired’ will be tried out at four locations covering the central, western, northern and islands districts, seeking to facilitate people in need through effective, complementary services provided by the Library and the community centers. The Reading Device is easy to use, and equipped with extra-large touch buttons. Readers simply need to place the documents or books on the device, and using earphones, they can conveniently listen to the texts, which are turned into audio format just a few seconds afterwards.