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The new Tin Shui Wai North Public Library of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) will enhance library service for residents of the Tin Shui Wai district.
Officiating at the opening ceremony today (December 20) were the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Thomas Chow, and Chairman of Yuen Long District Council, Dr Tang Siu-tong.
Mr Chow said the rapid development and population increase in Tin Shui Wai New Town in recent years had resulted in an ever-growing demand from local residents for leisure and cultural facilities, including public libraries.
"The Leisure and Cultural Services Department has made vigorous efforts to plan and set up more of these facilities in the area to serve the needs of the local community.
"I am delighted to see the official opening of the Tin Shui Wai North Public Library, which is the second public library in the Tin Shui Wai area. This is another initiative taken in our commitment to providing quality leisure and cultural services to the public," he said.
Located at Shop 313, Tin Chak Shopping Centre, Tin Chak Estate, Tin Shui Wai, the 494-square-metre library has an initial stock of more than 50,000 items.
Its facilities include an adult lending library, a children's library, a quick reference collection, a newspapers and periodicals area and an extension activities room. It also has Online Public Access Catalogue terminals to help readers search library catalogues and computer workstations to access the Internet and utilise the library's electronic resources.
The library also offers a diversity of facilities for checking in or out library materials. Automatic-charging terminals are installed to make check-out services fast and easy. In addition to the book-drop service outside the library for readers to drop in borrowed items after closing hours, a book drop in the library interior, the first of its kind in public libraries, is also provided to reduce the need to queue up at the service counter to return books.
To enhance customer services, there will be customer service ambassadors in the library to help readers use the new self-help service and electronic facilities.
The library will also establish closer liaison with local schools and community organisations in the district and encourage block loan services. In addition, the Libraries@neighbourhood - Community Libraries Partnership Scheme will also be vigorously promoted to strengthen community collaboration in fostering good reading habits among the local residents.
The library will also organise extension activities including storytelling for children, a reading programme, educational programmes and book display to promote interest in reading.
Students and members of cultural and educational organisations interested in having a better understanding of the library's facilities and services are welcome to contact the library for group visits.
The Tin Shui Wai North Public Library opens from 9am to 8pm from Tuesdays to Fridays. It opens from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays, and from 9am to 1pm on Sundays and public holidays. It is closed on Mondays.
For enquiries, please call 3741 0646.
Ends/Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:07
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