ENG-2012 — Page 404

19

Recreation, Sport and the Arts

Improvements to Library Services

The public libraries continue to work closely with the District Councils and local organisations to set up community libraries. The number of community libraries in Hong Kong has been increased to 212 by the end of 2012. In November, Students' Study Rooms were opened at Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library in Yuen Long and Lam Tin Public Library in Kwun Tong.

Reference and Information Services

Reference and information services are provided at the Hong Kong Central Library and the Kowloon, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun and City Hall public libraries. The central library also has a large collection of reference materials on Hong Kong studies and on international organisations. Professional reference services are provided at these libraries and their resource centres. In 2012, 3.75 million enquiries were handled by the public libraries.

Online reference service is an integral part of the public libraries' reference and information services. 61 online databases covering different subjects are available to library users.

Information Technology Initiatives and Digital Library Initiatives

Various initiatives to improve library services were being developed in 2012, including a print management system, an electronic reference system, an online payment system, developing mobile applications and revamping the library homepage.

At the end of 2012, around 910,000 people had registered to use their smart ID cards as library cards. Over 1,700 library computers allow the public to access the libraries' electronic resources, or the internet. More than 130,000 e-books and 14 online databases are available to registered members for home use through the internet.

The public libraries' Multimedia Information System (MMIS) provides a powerful one-stop search facility enabling users to search multimedia archives and look for digitized documents via the internet.

Outreach Programmes and Promotion of Reading and Literary Arts

In 2012, the public libraries conducted 20,660 library outreach programmes, including storytelling sessions, book exhibitions, community talks and a variety of reading programmes and reading-related activities to promote reading and sustain an interest in reading. Thematic reading activities were organised to celebrate the 50th anniversary of public libraries.

Among the promotional programmes for creative writing and Chinese literature in 2012, the highlight programme was the 9th Hong Kong Literature Festival which included various events conducted by local and overseas writers.

Cultural Exchange

In 2012, Hong Kong's public libraries organised jointly with the Hong Kong Library Association and the Goethe Institut Hong Kong a public lecture by the librarian of the Bavarian State Library of Germany. The libraries and the Shenzhen Library organised creative writing competitions to

336