Comparison

My Library (LCSD) vs Library Catalog

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

My Library (LCSD)

Access Hong Kong Public Library services conveniently. Manage multiple accounts, search and reserve materials, receive personalized notifications, and pay fines. Locate nearby libraries and scan ISBNs for quick information.

Highlights
  • Manage multiple library accounts
  • Search, reserve, and renew materials
  • Personalized alert services
  • Locate nearest libraries via GPS
  • Scan ISBN barcodes
  • Pay fines and fees via mobile payment
Features
Read full description

"My Library" (the app), developed and maintained by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, provides a safe and convenient channel to access the services of the Hong Kong Public Libraries. Through the app, members of the public can: > access to and Management of multiple library accounts > viewing of transaction history > search, reserve and renew library materials > save and retrieve library materials in My Lists > check the addresses and opening hours of public libraries > locate the nearest libraries via GPS > use personalised alert services to receive notifications, including pick-up notices and due date reminders > search library materials by scanning the ISBN barcode > share the information of library materials to friends through e-mail, instant messaging tools and social sharing platforms > paying overdue fines and reservation fees by mobile payment services Personal Information Collection Statement 1. The personal data collected in the app will only be used for processing your library account or handling your enquiry. 2. The personal data required in the app include your library card number/Hong Kong identity card number and your library account password. Whether you store your personal data in the app is optional. If you have logged in with your Hong Kong identity card number, it will be converted and saved as a library card number. 3. The app will collect the device model, system version, usage and login records as general statistical data for helping the LCSD compile statistics or diagnosing system problems, so as to enhance the app and facilitate your use of our library services. 4. The app will obtain your location data via GPS and show you the nearest public libraries and any related information. Your location data will not be saved in the app. 5. The function of direct phone calling to branch libraries is provided in the app, but it will not collect any personal data. 6. The personalized library information notification service provided in the app will send the identifier of your device together with your alert messages to Apple Inc., from whom the messages will be pushed to your device. 7. The social media sharing function for library item information provided in the app will not release your personal data to any external parties. However, the privacy policy for handling personal data from other social media is beyond the control of LCSD and LCSD would not accept any joint liability. 8. The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) is committed to ensuring that all personal data provided through the app is handled in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. For details about the privacy policy of the LCSD, please refer to the website at the following URL: http://www.lcsd.gov.hk/en/info_pdo.php

About

Library Catalog

Organize your personal book collection digitally. Easily add books, create custom lists, and share your collections. Discover new reads with expert recommendations and manage wish-lists across all your devices.

Highlights
  • Add books with a few clicks
  • Organize books on virtual shelves
  • Create custom book lists
  • Share book collections and links
  • Get expert recommendations
  • Manage wish-lists and reading lists
  • Access lists across devices
Features
Read full description

ALL YOUR BOOKS IN ONE APP: • Add books by a few clicks to the e-Catalog of books • Attach your printed books to your virtual shelves in the App to quickly find them in your home • Create easily any book lists using the App's global database • Share book collections, their content and links to books from the App by messengers or email • Preview the parts of the books you are interested in • Get recommendations from recognized experts • Make wish-lists and reading lists • Access your lists in all your devices • Edit books info, add book photos and links , Add tags to a book and search by a tag BEST SOLUTION FOR: • Lovers of books and reading • Sellers or Givers by lists of books • Personal and corporate libraries • Bloggers • Book clubs • Educational institutions • Professional communities

Screenshots

My Library (LCSD)1 screens
Library Catalog4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Library Catalog at every 3 weeks against My Library (LCSD)'s every 4 months. Library Catalog also leads on ratings volume (15 vs 3). My Library (LCSD)'s advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

My Library (LCSD) holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Library Catalog has 15 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

My Library (LCSD) ships an update every 4 months, Library Catalog every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
My Library (LCSD) versus Library Catalog: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMy Library (LCSD)Library Catalog
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (3 ratings) — better4.8 (15 ratings)
Positive reviews—72.7% of reviews
Number of ratings315 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLeisure and Cultural Services DepartmentVladimir Yakushev

Customer experience

My Library (LCSD)

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Library Catalog

All ratings15 ratings
Positive93.3%
Neutral6.7%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive72.7%
Neutral18.2%
Negative9.1%

In-app purchases

None

My Library (LCSD)

No in-app purchases

None

Library Catalog

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is My Library (LCSD) free?
My Library (LCSD) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Library Catalog free?
Library Catalog is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, My Library (LCSD) or Library Catalog?
My Library (LCSD) is rated higher. My Library (LCSD) averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Library Catalog averages 4.8 from 15 ratings.
Do My Library (LCSD) or Library Catalog have ads?
Neither My Library (LCSD) nor Library Catalog shows ads.
Which is updated more often, My Library (LCSD) or Library Catalog?
My Library (LCSD) ships an update every 4 months, and Library Catalog every 3 weeks. Most recently, My Library (LCSD) was updated on October 15, 2026 and Library Catalog on October 29, 2026.

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