Information Note to libraries interested in joining the CSIDS Consortium
A robust e-library system has been set up on the basis of a project titled “Collection Sharing and Information Discovery System with Enriched Digital Content” and sponsored by the Quality Education Support Scheme (QESS) of the Education Bureau (EDB) (Project No.:T01/QESS/2013).
The project, which commenced in January 2014 and concluded in December 2016, was jointly undertaken by Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU, formerly "The Open University of Hong Kong") (as principal grantee), Saint Francis University (SFU, formerly "The Caritas Institute of Higher Education"), Hong Kong Chu Hai College (HKCHC, formerly "Chu Hai College of Higher Education"), Hong Kong Shue Yan University (HKSYU) and Tung Wah College (TWC).
After the completion of the project, collaborative efforts continue to be made to enhance the shared benefits of a consortium of libraries. By 2023, all member libraries have implemented the migration to Ex Libris' Alma and Ex Libris' Primo VE.
The consortium now seeks to expand its membership. Any libraries which would like to join this consortium may wish to note the following requirements:
1. Non-profit-making education institutes offering full-time locally-accredited self-financing bachelor degree (including top-up degree) (HKQF Level 5) programmes or above are welcome to join the consortium.
2. The new institute shall have to follow the established practice in collection building and other service collaboration policies. Any suggestions for changing the practice and policies should be presented to the incumbent member institutes for consideration and endorsement.
3. The joining of the new institute shall not bring additional costs to, or affect the planned or existing level of service of, the incumbent members. Any additional costs or variations of the running costs of the consortium systems should be presented to the incumbent institutes for consideration and endorsement.
4. The new institute shall secure all funding required for migrating to, if necessary, or integrating into the same Library System and Discovery System of the consortium members (currently Ex Libris Alma and Primo VE are used).
5. The new institute shall share the running cost of the System according to the established formula. Any suggestions for changing the formula should be presented to the incumbent institutes for consideration and endorsement.
6. To ensure a reasonably high level of resources sharing, the new member institution should make available at least 50,000 titles (including print books and paid licensed e-books) for reciprocal borrowing under the existing interlibrary loan arrangements.
7. Admission to the CSIDS Consortium is subject to the acceptance of all the founding members (HKCHC, HKSYU, HKMU, SFU and TWC).
For discussing the joining of the CSIDS Consortium, please send an email to csids@hkmu.edu.hk. We will then contact you soon.
July 2026
