Applications are temporarily suspended until further notice.
Our centre is offering free field equipment for the public to loan such as field guides, books, binoculars and loupes.
Loan Service Period
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Equipment borrowing will stop 1.5 hours before the centre closes
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Tuesdays, Thursdays to Sundays: 10:30-16:00
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Wednesdays: 10:30-13:00
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- All equipment should be returned on the same day
Equipment List
Equipment Category |
Equipment Name |
Quantity |
Nature Exploration Type |
Field guides |
Common Birds in Lung Fu Shan |
10 |
Birds |
Common Butterflies in Lung Fu Shan |
10 |
Butterflies |
|
Books |
The Birds of Hong Kong and South China (Chinese version) |
2 |
Birds |
The Birds of Hong Kong and South China (English version) |
1 |
Birds |
|
Birdwatching in Woodlands |
1 |
Birds |
|
Encyclopedia of Hong Kong Butterflies - Butterfly Identification |
1 |
Butterflies |
|
Handbook of Butterfly Watching - Advanced Level (in Chinese) |
1 |
Butterflies |
|
Photographic Handbook of Hong Kong Butterflies (4th Edition) |
4 |
Butterflies |
|
Handbook of Hong Kong Plants (in Chinese) |
1 |
Plants |
|
A Photographic Guide to Common Urban Trees of Hong Kong |
1 |
Plants |
|
Hong Kong Field Guides - Hillsides |
1 |
Ecology |
|
The Pulse of Nature - Mid-Levels West |
2 |
Nature, history, culture |
|
Binoculars |
Binoculars for adults (magnification = 8) |
10 |
Birds, butterflies |
Binoculars for kids (magnification = 8) |
9 |
Birds, butterflies |
|
Loupes |
Illuminated loupe (magnification = 30) |
10 |
Insects, plants |
For Individual Applicants
Borrowing Quota
Each person can borrow at most two items per day, regardless of the equipment category.
Borrowing Procedure
1. Book via phone
The service can be booked at most 7 days in advance by calling our centre (2975 9031).
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Phone booking service is only available during our opening hours
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Priority will be given to people who have booked via phone on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. On-site borrowing
People may borrow equipment on-site as long as it is 1.5 hours before the centre's closing time on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. Fill in the registration form and pay deposit
-
Cash only; no change
Equipment Category |
Deposit (HKD) |
Field guides |
$10 per sheet |
Books |
$100 per copy |
Binoculars |
$300 per pair |
Loupes |
$50 per piece |
4. Receive equipment
5. Return the equipment on the same day
-
By the centre's closing time
6. Claim deposit if the equipment has been returned without damage
For Group Applicants (Only Applicable to Groups with at least 5 People)
Borrowing Quotas
The daily borrowing quotas for different equipment for each group are listed below. You may borrow equipment from as many categories as you wish.
Equipment Category |
Quota |
Field guides |
10 |
Books |
5 |
Binoculars |
10 pairs |
Loupes |
50 |
Borrowing Procedure
1. Book online
The group representatives should book the service by filling in the online registration form at least 2 weeks in advance
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Priorities will be given to the following groups
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Local academic institutions
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Locally registered charitable institutions and trusts of a public character, which are exempt from tax under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance
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Elderly, family, children and youth centres operated by the Social Welfare Department
-
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If groups in the same category booked the same items on the same day, the service will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis
2. On-site borrowing
Group applicants can also borrow equipment on-site as long as it is 1.5 hours before the centre's closing time on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. Fill in the registration form and pay deposit
-
Cash only; no change
Equipment Category |
Deposit (HKD) |
Field guides |
$2 per sheet |
Books |
$20 per copy |
Binoculars |
$100 per pair |
Loupes |
$10 per piece |
4. Receive equipment
5. Return the equipment on the same day
-
By the centre's closing time
6. Claim deposit if the equipment has been returned without damage
Remarks
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Arrangements for bad weather or centre closure:
The service will stop if any of the following warning signals is hoisted, or the centre is closed.
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Thunderstorm warning
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Landslip warning
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Any rainstorm warning
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Any typhoon signal
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Please come to the centre to complete the borrowing process and pay the equipment deposit within the booked time period and date. The booking will be automatically cancelled for no show cases.
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Returning equipment:
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All equipment should be returned before the centre closes on the day it is borrowed.
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The borrower is required to pay a fine if the return is overdue. Charges (in HKD; cash only; no change):
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Equipment Category |
Fine per Item per Day |
Maximum Fine per Item |
Field guides |
$1 |
$50 |
Books |
$2 |
$200 |
Binoculars |
$20 |
$2,000 |
Loupes |
$2 |
$200 |
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The borrower is required to compensate according to the equipment price if any damage is found on the equipment.
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No deposit will be returned if the equipment is lost. The centre reserves the right to claim damages in addition to the deposit for the lost equipment.
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The centre reserves its right to alter, delete or add on to any or all of the above terms and conditions without prior notification.
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In case of any disputes, the right of interpretation and decision lies with the centre.