The LCSD operates the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) network of 67 static and 10 mobile libraries. It also manages the Books Registration Office. The library system provides free library and information services to meet the community’s demand for knowledge, information, research and recreation, and to support lifelong learning. HKPL promotes reading and the literary arts and offers library extension activities for people of all ages.
The HKPL network has 4.01 million registered borrowers and a comprehensive collection, comprising 11.09 million books and 1.72 million multimedia materials. During the year under review, users borrowed more than 58.3 million books and other library materials from Hong Kong’s 77 public libraries.
The Hong Kong Central Library is a major information and cultural centre, offering more than 2.51 million items of library materials and a wide range of facilities. Special features include: an arts resource centre; multimedia information system; over 480 computer workstations providing access to the HKPL network and Internet electronic resources; a central reference library with six subject departments; Hong Kong literature room; map library; language learning centre; young adult library; and a toy library.
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People with different needs can access a wide range of e-books and other e-resources at the Hong Kong Public Libraries. |
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Facilities are also available for hire, including a 1 540-square-metre exhibition gallery, a 290-seat lecture theatre, two activity rooms, a music practice room and eight discussion rooms.
The Public Libraries Advisory Committee, comprising professionals, academics, prominent people and government representatives, meets regularly to advise the Government on the HKPL’s overall development strategy.
In 2011-12, Hong Kong’s public libraries continued to work with District Councils (DCs) to develop district library services and organise activities to better satisfy the community’s needs. Their concerted efforts provided the impetus for another encouraging year, illustrated by the growing diversity of community involvement activities to promote reading and the wider variety of projects to enhance library facilities and reading environments.
DCs offered more support for library extension activities. With their financial support, we organised more than 3 300 regular extension activities and large-scale reading activities throughout the year. These include the summer reading programme Treasure-hunting of Chinese Culture in Sham Shui Po; Our Inspiration Stories: Book Report Writing Competition in Tuen Mun; Reading with Love and Care Carnival and the Reading with Love and Care Postcard Design Competition in Sha Tin; and Summer Reading Fun in Sai Kung. Often co-organised with district organisations, these outreach activities boost the popularity of our public libraries and promote the reading habit.
To further foster a reading culture in the community, we organised a variety of reading ambassador programmes, in partnership with schools or local organisations. Examples include: the Reading Seeds Scheme: Little Reading Ambassadors for primary students in Wanchai; Ambassadors for Reading@Community for young adults in Kwun Tong; and READ Ambassadors Programme for parents in Sai Kung. Some DCs also support reading by encouraging the setting up of new community libraries under the Libraries@neighbourhood－Community Libraries Partnership Scheme or subsidising community libraries to improve their facilities and services.
DCs have also been actively enhancing library facilities and reading environments by initiating projects and providing financial support. Examples of projects undertaken and completed in 2011-12 include: upgrading and replacing equipment such as air-conditioning, lighting, CCTV and microfilm readers; installing floor directory signage; upgrading audio-visual systems and public address systems; and adding power sockets for users of portable computers.
The Siu Sai Wan Public Library, which was added to the public library network in June 2011, significantly enhanced library services in the Eastern District.
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Secretary of Home Affairs, Tsang Tak-sing and other officiating guests join a children storytelling session after the opening of the Siu Sai Wan Complex. |
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The HKPL network is enhancing services by extending its book-drop service beyond library premises, enhancing its stock, reference and information services, information technology (IT), and promoting good reading habits in the community.
In September, a trial book-drop service was launched at three major Mass Transit Railway interchange stations － Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong － to provide more convenience to readers in the returning of library materials.
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The book drop boxes at the MTR Kowloon Tong Station provide convenience for readers to return books borrowed from public libraries. |
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To promote lifelong learning, the HKPL will continue to collaborate with the Education Bureau to encourage students to use public library services through the Library Cards for All School Children Scheme. Sixteen public libraries stock Open University of Hong Kong course materials to enable self-learning.
The Next Generation Integrated Library System (NGILS) was successfully launched at the end of 2011. As one of the world’s largest computerised library systems, it offers comprehensive automated library services, including 24-hour Internet library services, online catalogue searching, reservation and renewal of library materials.
HKPL also provides a wide range of online services through its website (www.hkpl.gov.hk), which recorded more than 152.6 million visits in 2011-12. To further enhance public library services and collection management, a pilot scheme for the application of Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology was launched in six libraries, including the major libraries in Sha Tin and City Hall, district libraries at Lockhart Road and Lai Chi Kok, and small libraries at Shun Lee Estate and Tin Shui Wai North. The pilot scheme covers application of RFID enabled self-charging terminals, self-returning stations and book sorter systems. The Sha Tin Public Library also conducts a pilot test on a 24-hour Smart Return Station for readers to return library materials at any time.
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The Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-enabled self-charging terminals are now being pilot-tested at six selected libraries. |
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To promote wider use of IT, more than 90 new Internet Express Terminals, most of which have motorised height-adjustment feature, were installed in branch libraries. More than 1 700 computer workstations with Internet access have also been provided. Government Wi-Fi service is also available in all 67 static public libraries.
Through the sophisticated one-stop search capability of the Multimedia Information System (MMIS), users can explore multimedia archives via the Internet or through any of the 600 workstations at the Hong Kong Central Library and 27 major and district libraries. Instant access to a wide variety of digital documents and audio and video programmes via the Internet is also available. A major upgrade of the MMIS, now in full swing, is expected to be completed in 2013.
Reference and information services are available at the Hong Kong Central Library and five other major libraries － City Hall, Kowloon, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun public libraries. The Reference Library at the Hong Kong Central Library has six subject departments with a collection of over one million items reference materials and a wide range of electronic resources, including 60 online databases, and 130 000 e-books. Registered members can access all e-books and 13 online databases in the e-resource collection on Internet at home. The Reference Library continually adds reference materials to the Hong Kong Collection and the Hong Kong Oral History Special Collection. It also houses the depository collections of nine international organisations.
Specialised reference services are available at the Arts Resource Centre, Hong Kong Literature Room and the Map Library in the Hong Kong Central Library. City Hall Public Library offers specialised reference services through its Business and Industry Library, Creativity and Innovation Resource Centre and the Basic Law Library. The Kowloon Public Library provides specialised resources and services through its Education Resource Centre. The Sha Tin Public Library hosts a thematic collection and information webpage on sports and fitness resources. The wide range of reference and thematic resources are promoted through workshops, library visits and subject talks, in collaboration with the Education Bureau, scholars and NGOs involved in the particular areas.
The Hong Kong Central Library operates a referral service for registered users to access the collections of The University of Hong Kong Libraries.
During the year, the HKPL handled 3.76 million enquiries.
Outreach programmes are an integral part of library services and our libraries organised a wide range of activities throughout the year, including storytelling programmes, book displays, exhibitions and community talks. A total of 20 526 library outreach programmes were organised in 2011-12.
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The family of renowned Chinese composer Wut Man-chung generously donated the music-score manuscripts of his masterpieces to the Hong Kong Music Collection of the Hong Kong Central Library. |
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The Hong Kong Central Library marked its 10th anniversary in 2011, with programmes highlighting its role as a hub of information, culture and heritage. Events included: the A Decade of Document Collection Campaigns of the Hong Kong Central Library: Review and Prospect exhibition; Exhibition of Rare Books and Special Collections from the National Library of China; Summer Reading Month; literary seminars and public lectures by scholars, professionals and renowned writers from Hong Kong and overseas.
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Precious ancient rare books and special collections from the National Library of China were displayed at the Hong Kong Central Library. |
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A variety of reading programmes and reading-related activities were also organised to promote and sustain an interest in reading. Programmes organised during the year tied in with the centenary of the 1911 Revolution. Organised around different themes to heighten public interest in the history of the motherland and home town, they included: the 4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition in 2011: Modern China; Meet-the-Authors 2011: Stories of Hong Kong, Affection for Hong Kong; Thematic Storytelling Workshop: Fluffy’s Time Travel to China; Summer Reading Month Exhibition: Eminent Figures in the Modern History of China; subject talks on Cosmopolitan Hong Kong; and the subject talks series China Today.
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Hong Kong public libraries organises a variety of programmes and activities to promote reading to library users. |
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During the year, Teens Reading Clubs were set up at 38 libraries and Family Reading Clubs in five major libraries. Public Libraries also joined other organisations to hold territory-wide reading activities such as the Reading Carnival.
Many other special programmes and competitions were held throughout the year to promote creative writing and encourage the appreciation and development of literary arts. The 11th Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature was held to recognise the excellence of Hong Kong writers and to encourage the publishing of outstanding literary works. Seminars connected with awards were conducted by a panel of renowned local and overseas scholars and writers dedicated to foster interest in and appreciation of literature. Other major creative writing competitions in 2011 included the 21st Chinese Poetry Writing Competition and the Competition on Story Writing in Chinese for Students.
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Winners of the 11th Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature. Their outstanding Chinese works of literature were published in Hong Kong for the first time in 2009 and 2010. |
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The Libraries@neighbourhood community library partnership scheme is designed to provide community-based library services in collaboration with non-profit local community organisations. These organisations are offered block loans of library materials together with professional advice to set up community libraries tailored to their target audiences. By the end of 2011-12, 207 community libraries had been established.
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The Libraries@neighbourhood community library partnership scheme provides community-based library services in collaboration with local non-profit community organisations. |
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The Books Registration Office helps preserve Hong Kong's literary heritage through the registration of local publications and monitors the effective use of the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system. It publishes A Catalogue of Books Printed in Hong Kong in the Government Gazette every quarter. This catalogue can also be accessed on the Internet. In 2011-12, the office registered a total of 15 475 books, 10 766 periodicals and 1 224 new publisher prefixes conforming to ISBN.
