442 Recreation, Sport and the Arts
million reference and information enquiries were handled, representing an increase of 6.04 per cent and 2.81 per cent, respectively, over 2003.
Hong Kong Central Library
Since its opening in May 2001, the Hong Kong Central Library has developed into a major information and cultural centre in Hong Kong. Occupying a gross floor area of 33 800 square metres with a total stock of 1.99 million items, the 12-storey building provides a wide range of facilities. Special features include a Multimedia Information System, a Central Reference Library with six subject departments, Arts Resource Centre, Hong Kong Literature Room, Basic Law Reference Collection Room, Map Library, Language Learning Centre, Young Adult Library and Toy Library. There are also hiring facilities including a 1 500-square-metre exhibition gallery, a 293-seat lecture theatre, two activity rooms, a music practice room and a number of discussion
rooms.
In addition to regular cultural activities and talks, territory-wide events were organised during the year. The Distinguished Contemporary Chinese Scientists Seminar was held in collaboration with the China Association for Science and Technology and the Beijing-Hong Kong Academic Exchange Centre in October, covering a series of talks on science and technology by renowned scholars and speakers in the field. The seminar attracted an audience of over 1 000 and many others on the Internet through webcasting. Large-scale talks on CEPA and Hong Kong, and on regional development in China were held to promote understanding and awareness of the social and economic developments of Hong Kong and the Mainland. An exhibition on Hong Kong Music Collection was presented to display materials collected through the Music Collection Campaign.
New Initiatives in Library Services
The Hong Kong Public Libraries system has made dedicated efforts to improve its service to the public through enrichment of library stock and reference and information services, use of information technology, promotion of reading habits in the community as well as enhancement of the accessibility of public library services.
Three new libraries were opened during the year. In April, a small library in Tung Chung was added to the public library network, significantly enhancing library services on Lantau. In December, the Tai Po Public Library, a sub-standard district library in leased premises, was reprovisioned to the new premises at the Tai Po Complex, and a new mobile library was also put into service. Active preparation was in hand for the opening of a new district library at Ma On Shan in early 2005.
The public libraries continued to promote and support lifelong learning in the community. The Library Cards For All School Children Scheme continued in collaboration with the Education and Manpower Bureau to encourage primary school students to use library services. Regular meetings were held with school librarians on the provision of library services to support the school curriculum. Moreover, public libraries continue to provide supporting services to the Project Yi Jin education programme and 16 public libraries stock course materials of the Open University of