ENG-2019 — Page 385

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Recreation, Sport, Culture and the Arts

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 contains special collections about Hong Kong and international organisations, while 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 services are 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. For remote internet access, 338,000 e-books are available to registered members. The libraries also subscribe to over 70 e-databases, some of which are accessible through the internet to off-site library cardholders. An online patron registration platform was launched as part of the Hong Kong Public Libraries website in April, so readers can create e-accounts to borrow e-books and access diversified e-resources.

Promotion of Reading and Literary Arts

During the year, the public libraries conducted over 23,200 library and outreach programmes to promote interest in reading. A campaign, 'Discover and Share the Joy of Reading, was launched jointly with the Education Bureau and Information Services Department. Large-scale programmes included the Hong Kong Library Festival and Fun Reading at Your Neighbourhood Pop-up Library series, held outside library venues to extend the pleasure of reading to the community. As a tie-in, the 4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition adopted the theme 'Let's Share the Joy of Reading. The 15th edition of the Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature was held to commend local writers for creating quality Chinese literary works.

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 2019, the office registered 14,536 books and 6,939 periodicals, and issued 1,029 publisher prefixes totalling 16,950 ISBNs.

Heritage

Cantonese Opera

The government is keen to preserve, promote and develop Cantonese opera in Hong Kong. The Ko Shan Theatre New Wing has a 600-seat auditorium and ancillary facilities for performances, training and rehearsals. Its Cantonese Opera Education and Information Centre provides digitised and interactive Cantonese opera resources. In 2019, the centre received more than 22,000 visitors.

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