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The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), supported by the MTR Corporation (MTRC), will provide a book drop service at three major MTR interchange stations, namely Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong Stations, on a trial basis from September 29 (Thursday) to make it more convenient for people to return borrowed library books.
The book drops at Central Station will be located in the transfer concourse near the pedestrian subway to Hong Kong Station, in the concourse area near the Station Control Room and near exits J and K (close to the ticket gates). The locations of the book drops at Kowloon Tong Station will be in the Kwun Tong Line concourse (toward exits A and E and next to the Customer Service Centre), and the book drops at Nam Cheong Station will be located in the West Rail Line Concourse (toward exits A and B and toward exits C and D). (Please see attachment.)
These locations have been carefully chosen to avoid causing disturbance to the busy passenger traffic at the MTR stations concerned on the one hand, and to maximise convenience for the travelling public on the other. In consultation with the MTRC and the relevant authorities, four book drops will be placed in each of the stations within the paid areas to enable passengers to return their books while using the MTR system.
The trial scheme to provide drop boxes at major MTR interchange stations was announced by the Chief Executive in his 2010-11 Policy Address. The LCSD has since been working closely with the parties concerned, in particular the MTRC and the Fire Services Department, with a view to resolving the logistical and safety issues. Fire engineering studies were conducted before the LCSD finalised the size, design and locations of the book drops for the scheme.
The trial scheme will be publicised widely at all public libraries starting from today (September 21) to draw readers' attention to the introduction of a new service for returning borrowed library books. Publicity channels include displaying of posters (please see attachment) and distribution of leaflets at all public libraries, as well as announcement of the new book drop service on the library website.
For enquiries on the trial book drop service, please call 2414 5555 or visit the HKPL's website at www.hkpl.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:47
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