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To celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL), a souvenir will be given to each reader who borrows library materials at the library from today (May 17) to May 23, while stocks last.
Since it opened in May 2001, the HKCL has provided comprehensive, people-oriented library services to the public with the mission of providing information, supporting lifelong learning and enriching the cultural life of the community.
It has become a popular place frequented by book lovers, students, families and those interested in literature and art, with an average daily attendance of 14,000.
The HKCL is home to a treasure trove of knowledge with over 2 million items and a diversity of facilities such as the central reference library, multimedia information system, language learning centre, computer centre and toy library to meet the community's needs for information and lifelong learning as well as encouraging better use of leisure.
A number of cultural activities, including exhibitions, talks, workshops and seminars have been held at the lecture theatre of the HKCL to enrich the cultural life of Hong Kong's citizens. Some of the most impressive events include a series of lectures on science and technology and humanities by eminent scholars, Exhibition on Treasures of Literature, "Eye on the World" Map Exhibition, Beijing in the Past ¡ª An Exhibition of the Old Pictures Collected by the Capital Library of China.
The HKCL also hosts a wide variety of well-received annual programmes, such as the Book Donation and Sale Campaign and Summer Reading Month, as well as the biennial literary events like the Hong Kong Literature Festival and the Hong Kong Biennial Awards for Chinese Literature.
In addition, luminaries such as renowned Chinese scholar Professor Jao Tsung-I, Professor Paul Chu Ching-wu Vice-chancellor of the HKUST and Nobel Prize winner Professor Yang Cheng-ning have presented talks at the Lecture Theatre.
The HKCL has played a significant role in establishing co-operative links with leading overseas libraries. During the years, the library has received delegates from the Cologne Public Library, the National Library of China, the Urban Libraries Council of North America and the National Library Board of Singapore, with a view to sharing resources, exchanging experiences and developing a joint programme for their mutual benefit.
The HKCL has devoted much effort to providing quality library services. Such efforts were recognised when the library won the prize for second runner-up in the Front-line Service category of the 2003/04 Outstanding Customer Service Award.
On the IT front, the multimedia information system has also clinched a number of awards, including a Merit Award in the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2005 in the category of Innovation/Application of Technology.
Having attracted over 26 million readers in the first five years of operation, the HKCL will continue to uphold its role as a cultural anchor in enriching knowledge and supporting lifelong learning.
For enquiries about HKCL's services, please visit the website at www.hkpl.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Issued at HKT 19:36
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