ENG-2018 — Page 394

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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

million book borrowers and lending more than 48 million books and other library materials in 2018.

Hong Kong Central Library

The Hong Kong Central Library is a major information and cultural centre, with a reference and lending stock of more than 2.75 million books and other reading materials, multimedia facilities, a central reference 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 cultural programmes and public lectures, and promotes a culture of reading as well as information dissemination.

Improvements to Library Services

The city's second self-service library station, located at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, was launched in December 2018, offering more round-the-clock public library services after the city's first self-service library station was launched in Eastern District in 2017.

The public libraries work closely with district councils and local groups to set up community libraries, which are offered block loans of library materials. Age-friendly measures include enhancing library facilities and promoting 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 educational resources, sports and fitness, modern living and food and nutrition respectively.

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 electronic resources and the internet. More than 290,000 e-books are available to registered members for remote internet access. The libraries also subscribe to over 70 e-databases, some of which are accessible. through the internet to library cardholders outside the library. In January, the mobile application My Library was launched to accept payment of library fines and other charges.

Promotion of Reading and Literary Arts

During the year, the public libraries conducted over 23,600 library and outreach programmes to promote interest in reading. A citywide campaign, 'Discover and Share the Joy of Reading, was launched jointly with the Education Bureau and Information Services Department. Special

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