HKPL Sign MOU with Cologne Public Library


In January, the HKPL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Cologne Public Library for a series of cooperation on library development, resources sharing and professional staff training.  The MOU marks the beginning of an amicable cooperation on service enhancement, cultural exchanges, interflow of electronic information, publications, information technology and staff training between the two libraries.

During the past two years, they have already successfully exchanged staff, shared literary collections and held numerous discussions on library development through video-conference facilities.

To mark the occasion, two exhibitions, i.e., the Exhibition on Heinrich Böll: Life and Work and the Exhibition on Hong Kong Village Life Documents have been held concurrently at the Hong Kong Central Library and the Cologne Public Library.


 

Central Library Records 10 Millionth Reader

The Hong Kong Central Library recorded its 10-millionth reader on 18 February since its opening in May 2001.  The lucky reader is a sixteen-year-old student who was congratulated and presented a certificate and a gift by Miss Choi Suk-kuen, JP, the Acting Director of the Leisure and Cultural Services.

Encouraged by achieving the figure within two years, Miss Choi said, "It is a public recognition of the Library's effort to promote itself as a cultural and information centre of Hong Kong.  Over the past year, the Library has been actively organizing a number of well-received literary and cultural activities, such as subject talks, public forums and exhibitions to actualize its mission to provide information, support lifelong learning and enrich the cultural life of the community."

With an average daily patronage of over 16,000, the Library's most popular facilities include the Multimedia Information System, the Language Learning Centre, Computer and Information Centre, Toy Library and the Children's Multimedia Room (MMIS).  During the period, the MMIS and the Toy Library have noted a total usage of 1.15 million and 207,447 respectively.
 

Agnes Lee
Hong Kong Public Libraries