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The new Shek Kip Mei Public Library officially opened today (September 18) offers a variety of library services to residents in Sham Shui Po District.
Officiating at the opening ceremony were the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li; the Director of Architectural Services, Mr Leung Koon-kee; and the Chairman of the Sham Shui Po District Council, Mr Kwok Chun-wah.
Ms Li pointed out at the opening ceremony that Sham Shui Po, with a population of nearly 400,000, is a well-developed community with distinctive characteristics.
She said that in order to meet the increasing demand for cultural and community facilities and to improve the library services for local residents, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has upgraded Pak Tin Public Library and relocated it to the Shek Kip Mei Estate Ancillary Facilities Block as the new Shek Kip Mei Public Library. The space has also expanded from 215 square metres to 862 sq m.
The new library is located at 7/F, Shek Kip Mei Estate Ancillary Facilities Block, 100 Woh Chai Street, Shek Kip Mei. Situated in an easily accessible location, the library's collection has increased from 40,000 items to more than 70,000 items, including 100 newspapers and periodicals, to cater for the needs of different readers. Since its start of operation in March this year, the number of new registered borrowers at the library has more than tripled, the amount of library materials borrowed has doubled and attendance has grown about 70 per cent when compared to the monthly averages for the same period last year.
In addition to offering existing facilities such as an adult library, a children's library and a newspaper and periodical section, the library also provides new facilities including an extension activities room, Internet and digital service workstations, self-charging terminals and express check-in service.
The library will organise extension activities such as book displays, storytelling for children and reading programmes for children and other young people to promote reading. Schools and members of cultural and educational organisations are welcome to arrange group visits to the library to better understand its facilities and services. For enquiries, please call 2928 2055.
The library's opening hours are as follows:
Monday to Wednesday and Friday: 10am to 7pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 5pm
Public holidays: 10am to 1pm
Thursday: Closed
Readers can access the library from Exit A of Shek Kip Mei MTR Station or by buses No. 2B, 2F, 86, 86A, 104 and 702A.
Lai Chi Kok Public Library, Po On Road Public Library and Un Chau Street Public Library are also situated in Sham Shui Po District. Details of the public libraries are available at the website www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/locations/libraries.html.
Ends/Thursday, September 18, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:06
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