The HKMA Information Centre
 

Introduction

The HKMA Information Centre introduces the work of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and houses books, journals and other texts on central banking and related subjects. The Centre consists of an Exhibition Area and a Library. The Centre is operated as a resource for HKMA staff and as an educational and research facility for the public.

The Centre is open to the public from 1 December 2003. Admission is free.

Guided tours are available daily for general visitors. Group visits for schools and non-profit-making organisations can be arranged upon request.

Enquiry about the Information Centre: 2878 1111.

Facilities

The Information Centre is divided into an Exhibition Area and a Library.

Exhibition Area

The Exhibition Area introduces the main policy objectives of the HKMA and explains how the HKMA carries out its work. It is divided into four main sections. A currency section traces the development of money and banking in Hong Kong and shows examples of coins and notes used over the years in and around Hong Kong. A policy section explains the work of the HKMA. A further topical section focuses on issues of current interest. A timeline focusing on Hong Kong’s monetary and banking history runs along the whole length of the main wall of the Exhibition Area.

Library

The Library contains the materials for detailed study of Hong Kong's monetary, banking and financial affairs and of central banking topics elsewhere in the world. The main elements of the collection are

• HKMA publications

• Publications by central banks and international organisations

• Books and journals on monetary, banking, economics, finance and related subjects

• An electronic register of authorized institutions in Hong Kong, maintained under section 20 of the Banking Ordinance.

The Library also incorporates the collection of the Hong Kong Institute for Monetary Research, which conducts scholarly research into monetary policy, banking and finance of strategic importance to Hong Kong and the Asian region.

The Library is a non-lending facility. An on-line catalogue is available at the terminals inside the library and on the HKMA website. A variety of HKMA publications may be purchased at the library counter.

Photocopying facilities are available at a small charge. A printer is provided for printing material from the Electronic Public Registry from a designated computer free of charge.

(Click to enlarge)

Guided Tours

Guided tours for the general public

Guided tours (duration 30 minutes) for general visitors are available on

Each tour is for 15 individual visitors on a first-come-first-served basis. Please register with staff at the Information Centre 15 minutes in advance.

Group visits

We also offer guided tours for groups of visitors (from 10 to 30 people) from schools, universities and non-profit-making organisations. Tours normally last for around one hour but can be tailored to meet specific requirement. The guided tour is free of charge and must be booked in advance. Confirmation letters will be issued for successful applications.

Applications for group guided tours should be made at least 2 weeks before the date of visit. Please complete the following application form and return it by fax to 2147 9408, or contact our Information Centre staff at 2878 1111 for details.

Application form for group visits (PDF file, 211KB)

General Information

The Centre is open from 1 December 2003.

Opening Hours*

Admission is free of charge.

* The Centre will be closed when the tropical cyclone warning signal No.8 or above is hoisted, or is about to be hoisted. The Centre will remain closed if the signal is lowered less than 2 hours before the normal closing hour. The HKMA reserves the right to close the Centre in case of emergency, or in the interests of safety, or for any other reason.

How to get there

Enquiries, bookings of guided tours or comments about the Information Centre may be made:

Code of Conduct for Visitors

The HKMA Information Centre is a place for research, teaching and study. This Code of Conduct is drawn up for visitors to ensure that these activities can be carried out effectively.

1. Only materials from the Information Centre may be used in the Centre.
    
2. No books or other materials may be removed from the Centre.
    
3. Books and other materials should be handled with care and should not be marked or damaged in any way.
    
4. Visitors should observe silence in the Library except in their necessary discussions with Information Centre staff. Visitors should avoid causing disturbance or disruption to other visitors and users of the Centre.
    
5. Visitors should switch off mobile telephones and other audio-electronic equipment before entering the Centre.
    
6. Smoking is prohibited in the Centre.
    
7. Food and drink may not be brought into the Centre.
    
8. Visitors should avoid bringing heavy luggage to the Centre.
    
9. Visitors should report to staff in case of sickness, accident or emergency.
    
10. Library materials should be left on the trolley near the counter after use for reshelving. Visitors should not reshelve the materials themselves.
     
11. Photographs may be taken in the Exhibition Area but not in the Library. No flash or tripod may be used.
     
12. The intellectual property rights to all original materials in the Exhibition Area belong to the HKMA. Reproduction and presentations using the materials in the Exhibition Area are prohibited unless prior approval has been given by the HKMA.
     
13. Visitors who fail to observe this code may be asked to leave the Centre.
     
14. The Centre will be closed when the tropical cyclone warning signal No. 8 or above is hoisted, or is about to be hoisted. The HKMA reserves the right to close the Centre in case of emergency, or in the interests of safety, or for any other reason.