康樂及文化事務署繼續積極推動香港的康樂、體育及文化發展。在公共圖書館服務方面
作出了多項創新及推廣的工作，致力為市民提供更優質的圖書館服務。
2001年是香港公共圖書館服務發展豐收的一年，年內共有三間圖書館相繼落成，
包括香港中央圖書館、將軍澳公共圖書館及天水圍公共圖書館，為市民提供完備的圖書館服務。

於五月中率先用的香港中央圖書館，標誌著香港公共圖書館服務進入
新里程。香港中央圖書館藏書達120萬項，設有最先進的圖書館
電腦系統，是香港公共圖書館系統的旗艦。這幢智慧型建築物
樓高12層，樓面總面積約33,800平方米。館內獨有的設備包括多媒
體資訊系統、中央參考圖書館、藝術資源中心、基本法特藏室
視聽圖書館、地圖圖書館、成人圖書館、青少年圖書館、兒童圖書館
兒童多媒體資料室及玩具圖書館，開創了圖書館服務新一頁。

作為香港公共圖書館體系的資訊樞紐及搜尋資訊的總站，中央
參考圖書館其中一個特點是擁有超過32,000項電子資料，如唯讀記憶光碟、
網上資料庫及電子書刊等，供登記讀者使用。

直至十月中為止，中央圖書館已錄得超過270萬名讀者
使用圖書館，而每日平均使用人數則為17,000人。

同時本署亦已將香港中央圖書館提供的大部份多媒體資
訊系統服務擴展至互聯網，以便讀者在家中、學
校或辦公室檢索館內的數碼化資料。此外圖書館的網
上圖書館亦已延長至每天24小時，讀者可透過互聯網
辦理預約及續借圖書館資料。

將軍澳公共圖書館與天水圍公共圖書館已分別於九月底及
十月中正式啟用，區內市民對這兩所設備完善
的圖書館，深表歡迎，平均每天外借圖書館資
料達4千多項。

此外，市民更積極參與館方經常舉辦的各項推廣活動,
如課外閱讀計劃、興趣小組及講座等，發揮作為社
區文化中心的功能。

Hong Kong Public Library Service Continues To Expand

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department continues to pledge to promote  recreation, sports and culture to enhance the quality of life of the community.  In the area of public library service, new initiatives and promotional efforts have been introduced to expand and enhance its services in the territory.  2001 is a fruitful year in the development of the Hong Kong Public Libraries.  During the year, three new libraries including the Hong Kong Central Library, Tseung Kwan O Public Library and Tin Shui Wai Public Library went into operation to provide quality library services to the general public.

The opening of the Hong Kong Central Library on 17 May 2001 has made a new milestone in HK's public library service development.  Equipped with the state-of-the-art library facilities, the Library is the flagship library of Hong Kong and has a library stock of 1.2 million items.  The Hong Kong Central Library plays an important role in fulfilling the missions of providing information, supporting lifelong learning and enriching our cultural life.  The 12-storey intelligent building covers a total gross floor area of 33,800m² providing salient facilities, such as a Multimedia Information System, a Central Reference Library, an Arts Resources Centre, the Basic Law Reference Collection Room, an Audio-Visual Library, a Map Library, an Adult Lending Library, a Young Adult Library, and a Children's Lending and Reference Library incorporating a Multimedia Room and a Toy Library.

The Central Reference Library of the Hong Kong Central Library also serves as the major information centre which provides comprehensive reference services to other public libraries.  Registered borrowers can have online access to over 32,000 items of electronic resources ranging from CD-ROMs to online databases, electronic books and journals and multimedia programs.

Plans are in hand to further extend the availability of the Multi-media Information service provided by the Hong Kong Central Library through the Internet to facilitate the access of digitalized library materials by readers at home, at school or at office.

Since all libraries are computerized, on-line catalogue search, renewal of borrowed items and reservation of library materials are now available through the Internet 24 hours a day.

In October the Library has already recorded a historic attendance of over 2.7 million readers since its opening with the average daily patronage of 17,000 readers.

The Tseung Kwan O Public Library was opened on September 29 while the Tin Shui Wai Public Library was opened on October 12.  These two libraries have proved to be very popular among the local residents.  Over 4,000 items of library materials are borrowed on a daily average.  The various extension activities and interesting reading programmes held to promote healthy reading habits among children are enthusiastically received.
 

fig. 2

 

fig. 3

fig. 1 Hong Kong Central Library
fig. 2 Tseung Kwan O Public Library
fig. 3 Tsuen Wan Public Library (Adult )