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The Hong Kong Central Library, which has been open since 2001, reached a milestone today (January 18) with its 30 millionth reader.
The lucky reader, Wan Kin-sang, a student of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, was presented with a certificate and a souvenir by the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow.
Mr Chow thanked all readers for their continuous support of the Hong Kong Public Libraries.
He said the Hong Kong Central Library would continue to develop as a cultural and information centre of Hong Kong and upgrade its services.
A frequent visitor to the central library, Kin-sang went to the library today to use its computer facilities. He was thrilled when told he was the 30 millionth reader of the central library.
A university student studying accounting, Kin-sang has been using various facilities of the central library since it opened. Reading is his hobby and detective fiction is his favourites.
The central library has a stock of more than 2.2 million library materials with an average daily patronage of more than 14,000. Its reference section, which serves as the information hub of the Hong Kong Public Libraries system, has more than 1.2 million library materials and over 80 online databases. The library's facilities such as Multimedia Information System (MMIS), Language Learning Centre, Computer and Information Centre and Toy Library are most popular. The MMIS has noted an accumulative usage rate of nine million. Readers can access the system at the central library, 26 public libraries as well as through the internet.
Since its opening, the central library has organised many large-scale cultural activities to promote reading and learning including talks on various themes, seminars and thematic exhibitions. Many of the well-received progammes organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries such as the Hong Kong Literature Festival, Reading Programme for Children and Youth, Reading Clubs, Summer Reading Month and Chinese Creative Writing Competition are being held at the central library.
For enquiries of the public library services, please call 2921 0208 or visit the libraries' website at www.hkpl.gov.hk
Ends/Thursday, January 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:00
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