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HK Public Libraries, marking World Book Day, urges public to discover and share the joy of reading (with photos)
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     To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) held a series of vibrant activities at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). These included the Fun at Central Library fun day as well as the Sign Up Ceremony of Reading Charter cum Prize Presentation Ceremony of 4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition. The HKPL also announced that a short video competition will be launched at the end of April to encourage the public to share their experiences and the joy of reading. These activities are part of the programmes in a reading-for-all campaign, themed "Discover and Share the Joy of Reading", jointly launched by the LCSD, the Education Bureau and the Information Services Department.

     The first-ever Fun at Central Library fun day marked the start of the series of library activities, enabling members of the public to have a unique and extraordinary library experience. Participants took in a rich array of programmes and the library was filled with fun and joy. Visitors were attracted by the exhibitions "Discovery of Conservation Tools" and "Discover Hong Kong in Miniatures", and enjoyed musical performances and "music on demand", storytelling workshops and various games. Display boards featuring a mascot specially designed for the reading-for-all campaign and other photo-taking spots on different floors were also popular with families. Children were eager to colour the mascot on the sheets printed with its image. Other highlights included a thematic storytelling session, book repair workshops, saxophone performances by the Chief Music Officer of the LCSD and a chief librarian, acting as "Auntie Hippo", reading stories to children.

     During the Sign Up Ceremony of Reading Charter cum Prize Presentation Ceremony of 4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li, and the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, signed the Reading Charter together with participating guests, school representatives, parents and students - about 300 participants in total - and invited the public to make a pledge on reading. The Reading Charter encourages the public, in particular students, to establish a good habit and enjoy the pleasure of reading by promising to achieve a reading goal. From today to May 8, members of the public can sign the Reading Charter on the HKPL website or via the "My Library" mobile app and receive a souvenir.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Li said the theme "My Library" was adopted for this year's 4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition. While reading and writing for the competition, participants are encouraged to make the best use of the free and highly accessible services of the public libraries to share in the joy of reading. Ms Li noted that the competition received an overwhelming response this year, with over 1 800 entries from more than 200 schools.

     She added that to promote reading in the community, the HKPL plans to launch a three-month trial scheme this summer extending the opening hours of three public libraries of different tiers on Sundays and public holidays during which the libraries have higher usage. Public demand during the public libraries' extended opening hours will be evaluated. After considering factors such as the library usage data, the public demand for services and the availability of ancillary facilities, Ping Shan Tin Shui Wai Public Library in the New Territories, Lai Chi Kok Public Library in Kowloon and Smithfield Public Library on Hong Kong Island were selected for the scheme.

     In addition, the LCSD has commissioned a media partner to organise the Reading KOL video competition with the support of the Education Bureau. The competition, opening for application at the end of April, will consist of three categories targeting primary students, secondary students and the general public. Participants are encouraged to present their experiences and the joy of reading in a creative manner through videos, each within two minutes, with no restrictions on the presentation format.

     More interesting activities have been organised by various public libraries to promote reading at the district level, such as the Our Libraries @ Southern District Reading Fun Day held today at the Amphitheatre of Stanley Plaza in Southern District. Other activities, such as thematic storytelling workshops and the "Meet-the-Authors" talk series, welcome public participation. HKPL users who borrow library materials from April 21 to 25 will receive souvenirs on a first come, first served basis while stocks last.

     Winning works from the 4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition will be displayed at the Exhibition Gallery of the Hong Kong Central Library from April 28 to May 8, followed by a roving exhibition at 19 public libraries. The winning works will also be uploaded to www.hkpl.gov.hk/en/extension-activities/event-category/23428/4-23-world-book-day. This creative competition is part of the ongoing collaboration and exchange programme with the Shenzhen Children's Library, the Sun Yat-sen Library of Guangdong Province and the Macao Public Library, which have also organised competitions under the same theme. The winning works will be displayed in their respective libraries.

     Other guests attending the ceremony today included the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hong Kong Education City Limited, Mr Sunny Lee; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Publishing Federation Limited, Dr Lee Ka-kui; the President of the Hong Kong Teacher-Librarians' Association, Ms Karen Ip; the President of the Hong Kong Reading Association, Dr Lornita Wong; the Marketing Manager (Exhibitions) of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Ms Winny Siu; and representatives from the Shenzhen Children's Library.
 
Ends/Sunday, April 22, 2018
Issued at HKT 13:35
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To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a series of vibrant activities, including the Sign Up Ceremony of Reading Charter cum Prize Presentation Ceremony of 4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition, at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). Photo shows the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li (front row, fourth left); and the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (front row, fourth right), signing the Reading Charter together with a total of about 300 participating guests, school representatives, parents and students.
To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a series of vibrant activities, including the Sign Up Ceremony of Reading Charter cum Prize Presentation Ceremony of 4.23 World Book Day Creative Competition, at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). Photo shows the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Ms Michelle Li (second left); the Under Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin (third left), and the guests.
To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a series of vibrant activities, including the Fun at Central Library fun day, at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). Photo shows visitors taking photos with an image of the mascot which was specially designed for the reading-for-all campaign, themed "Discover and Share the Joy of Reading".
To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a series of vibrant activities, including the Fun at Central Library fun day, at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). Photo shows children colouring the image of the mascot which was specially designed for the reading-for-all campaign, themed "Discover and Share the Joy of Reading".
To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) held a series of vibrant activities, including the Fun at Central Library fun day, at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). Photo shows the Chief Music Officer of the LCSD, Mr James Leung (centre), performing with a saxophone ensemble.
To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a series of vibrant activities, including the Fun at Central Library fun day, at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). Photo shows visitors taking photos at the Trick Art Photo Taking Spot.
To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a series of vibrant activities, including the Fun at Central Library fun day, at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). Photo shows visitors viewing the “Discover Hong Kong in Miniatures” exhibition.
To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a series of vibrant activities, including the Fun at Central Library fun day, at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). Photo shows visitors participating in English Storytelling Workshops: What Will I Be When I Grow Up?.
To encourage members of the public to discover and share the joy of reading and to tie in with World Book Day, the Hong Kong Public Libraries of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department held a series of vibrant activities, including the Fun at Central Library fun day, at the Hong Kong Central Library today (April 22). Photo shows visitors participating in the programmes.