HK Public Libraries Extend Study Room Hours for Exam Period from March 1 to May 31

Admission arrangements and applications for students' study room admission cards during examination season announced

The opening hours of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) students' study rooms (SSR) will be extended during the examination period from March 1 to May 31, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 6).

People who intend to use the SSR service during this examination period can apply for admission cards in person or by post from today. Application forms and details of the regulations are available at the public libraries provided with SSR and are also available at the HKPL's website (www.hkpl.gov.hk/SSR-notice-notes-en). The deadline for application is February 2, with the postmark date on the envelope taken as the application date. The result will be posted on the notice board of the respective public libraries from February 21 to 28.

Applicants should be registered borrowers of the HKPL. Priority will be given to candidates sitting for major public exams and professional exams. Applicants can only submit one application and opt for one of the following sessions as detailed below:

March 1 to May 7 (admission card is required)

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Sessions:

Morning session: 8am to 12.30pm

Afternoon session: 12.45pm to 5.15pm

Evening session: 5.30pm to 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)

5.30pm to 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

May 8 to 31 (seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and no admission card is required)

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Opening Hours:

8am to 10pm (Mondays to Fridays)

8am to 9.30pm (Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)

The arrangement will apply to the SSR service at Shek Tong Tsui, Chai Wan, Quarry Bay, Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam, Lockhart Road, Kowloon, To Kwa Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, Shui Wo Street, Lam Tin, Po On Road, Lai Chi Kok, Sham Shui Po, Ngau Chi Wan, San Po Kong, Yau Ma Tei, Fa Yuen Street, Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, Yuen Chau Kok, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, North Kwai Chung, South Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi, Yuen Long, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Tai Po, Sai Kung, Tiu Keng Leng, Tseung Kwan O, Cheung Chau and Tung Chung Public Libraries.

The HKPL may change and alter the opening hours or admission arrangements of SSR in response to public health concerns or other special circumstances when necessary. Please note the latest announcements of the HKPL. For enquiries, please contact individual libraries or call the Customer Hotline at 2921 0208 for the SSR service.

Photo source: AI-created image

Two male drivers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes

Two male drivers, aged 36 and 51, were sentenced to eight months' and seven months' imprisonment respectively by the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts today (January 7) for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes, in contravention of the Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

On October 13, 2025, Hong Kong Customs and Traffic New Territories Southof the Hong Kong Police Force mounted joint anti-smuggling operations at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port. Through risk assessment and intelligence analysis, officers of Customs and the Police intercepted two inbound private cars at the HZMB Hong Kong Port on that day. Upon inspection, Customs officers seized about 130 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes from the front and rear passenger seats, the boot and hollow spaces of the private car of the 36-year-old man. He was sentenced today to eight months' imprisonment for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes.

Also, Customs officers seized about 140 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes with a similar concealment in the 51-year-old man's private car. The man was sentenced today to seven months' imprisonment for dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes.

The two private cars were also seized. The total estimated market value of the cigarettes seized in the case was about $1.33 million, and the duty potential was about $880,000.

Customs welcomes the sentences. The custodial sentences have imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflect the seriousness of the offences.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Customs will continue to combat cross-boundary smuggling activities with firm enforcement action.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Two male drivers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Two male drivers convicted and jailed for importing and dealing with duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases