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RECREATION, SPORT AND THE ARTS
for cultural objects, the section continued to give technical support for the mounting of thematic exhibitions and to assist in the preservation of more than 200 000 museum collection items.
In 2001, a total of 3 700 items including paintings, paper artefacts, textiles, metals, ceramics, ethnographic objects, wooden artefacts and archaeological finds were given conservation treatment. To enhance the existing preventive conservation programme, a wireless environmental monitoring system was introduced in the Heritage Museum and the Museum of History. Environmental data of the galleries and museum stores can now be readily collected and monitored 24 hours a day on a real-time basis. Also, the section completed the preparation and installation of some 3 800 artefacts for the opening of The Hong Kong Story permanent exhibition at the Museum of History.
In pursuit of the department's initiative to further publicise and enhance Hong Kong's cultural image, the section organised a long-term exhibition entitled A Glimpse of Hong Kong's Heritage at the Hong Kong International Airport with the support of the Airport Authority, in March. A fine selection of 34 objects of local heritage objects from various museums and the Antiquities and Monuments Office was displayed at five prominent locations inside the Passenger Terminal for the enjoyment of air travellers.
Public Libraries
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department provides free public library services to meet community needs for information, research, informal education and the profitable use of leisure time as well as to promote reading and the literary arts. It also manages the Books Registration Office.
At present, the Hong Kong Public Libraries system provides a network of 69 public libraries, including the newly opened Hong Kong Central Library, Tseung Kwan O Public Library, Tin Shui Wai Public Library and the new Chai Wan Public Library. The library collection in 2001 consisted of 8.44 million books and 0.93 million multimedia materials. There were a total of 2.54 million registered borrowers, who checked out 42.45 million items of library materials during the year. Staff handled 2.59 million reference enquiries.
Hong Kong Central Library
was
The Hong Kong Central Library - a major information centre in Hong Kong opened operationally on May 17. Overlooking Victoria Park in the heart of Causeway Bay, the 12-storey building covers a gross floor area of 33 800 square metres. It has a wide range of facilities, including a Multimedia Information System, a Central Reference Library, an Arts Resource Centre, the Hong Kong Literature Room, the Basic Law Reference Collection Room, Newspapers and Periodicals Reading Areas and a Microform Reading Room. There is also an Audio-Visual Library, a Map Library, Music Practice Rooms, an Adult Lending Library, a Young Adult Library, and a Children's Lending and Reference Library equipped with a Multimedia Room and a Toy Library. The other cultural facilities comprise a 1 500- square-metre Exhibition Gallery, a 293-seat Lecture Theatre and two Activity Rooms.
From its opening up to the end of the year, the library recorded a total of 3.63 million visitors, with an average daily attendance of about 16 000.