ENG-2017 — Page 395

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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

Improvements to Library Services

Two new libraries were opened in 2017. Yuen Chau Kok Public Library in Sha Tin was fully commissioned in March and Yuen Long Public Library was reprovisioned with enhanced services and facilities in June. The city's first self-service library station, located at the Island East Sports Centre Sitting-out Area in Eastern District, was launched in December, offering round- the-clock public library services.

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 develop Hong Kong into an age- friendly city, the department enhances library facilities and promotes 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. The Central Library's reference collection covers subjects including Hong Kong studies and international organisations, while other major libraries also offer specialised thematic collections. The City Hall Public Library has collections about business and industry, creativity and innovation resources and the Basic Law. The Kowloon, Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun libraries provide collections on education resources, sports and fitness, modern living and food and nutrition respectively. In 2017, the public libraries handled 3.15 million enquiries.

Information Technology and Digital Library Services

Online service is integral to the public libraries' reference and information services. The libraries provide more than 1,900 computers giving public access to their 65 e-databases and the internet. About 270,000 e-books are available to registered members for remote internet access.

Promotion of Reading and Literary Arts

In 2017, the public libraries conducted 22,882 outreach programmes, including story-telling sessions, talks and exhibitions, to promote interest in reading. During the HKSAR's 20th anniversary year, a theme of Chinese culture was adopted for the 423 World Book Day Creative Competition and an exhibition, 'A Tour of Chinese Culture, was organised during the Summer Reading Month. The 14th Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature was held to promote Chinese literature and creative writing.

Books Registration Office

The Books Registration Office registers local publications and monitors the use of the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system. It publishes the Catalogue of Books Printed in Hong Kong in the Government Gazette every three months. The catalogue can also be viewed on the internet. In 2017, the office registered 13,960 books and 8,168 periodicals, and issued 875 publisher prefixes totalling 15,050 ISBNs.

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