ENG-2016 — Page 399

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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

library with six subject departments, an arts resource centre, a Hong Kong literature room, a map library, a language learning centre, a young adult library and a toy library. It offers for hire a 1,540 square metre exhibition gallery, a 290-seat lecture theatre, two activity rooms, a music practice room and eight discussion rooms.

The central library organises thematic cultural programmes and public lectures, and promotes library resources and a culture of reading to the public.

Improvements to Library Services

Two new libraries were opened in 2016. Fanling South Public Library was fully commissioned in August and Yuen Chau Kok Public Library began phased commissioning in December, strengthening library service in North District and Sha Tin.

The public libraries work closely with District Councils and local groups to set up community libraries, which are offered block loans of library materials. To help develop Hong Kong into an age-friendly city, the department enhances library facilities and organises more library activities to promote reading among senior residents.

Reference and Information Services

Professional reference and information services are available at the Central Library and the public libraries of City Hall, Kowloon, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun. While the Central Library holds a large collection of reference materials on Hong Kong studies and international organisations, Kowloon Public Library, Sha Tin Public Library, Tsuen Wan Public Library and Tuen Mun Public Library provide thematic collections: 'Education Resource Centre Collection, 'Sports and Fitness Collection, 'Modern Living Collection' and 'Food and Nutrition Collection' respectively. In 2016, the public libraries handled 3.36 million enquiries.

Information Technology and Digital Library Services

The public libraries provide more than 1,900 computers giving public access to the libraries' electronic resources and the internet. Online service is an integral part of the libraries' reference and information services. About 65 e-databases are available to library users and about 240,000 e-books are available to registered members for remote internet access. The department upgrades and improves the computing facilities provided for public use. It replaced 117 self- charging terminals in 2016, enabling users to enjoy faster self-service.

Outreach Programmes and Promotion of Reading and Literary Arts

In 2016, the public libraries conducted 22,396 outreach programmes, including storytelling sessions and exhibitions, to promote interest in reading. Riding on the Rio 2016 Olympics, the 4⚫ 23 World Book Day Creative Competition adopted the theme 'Healthy Body Healthy Mind' and an exhibition, 'All About Sports Events, was organised during the Summer Reading Month. The 11th Hong Kong Literature Festival, held in the middle of the year, was themed 'My Way, My Literature.

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