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The Leisure and Cultural Services Department's seven Public Libraries in the New Territories will resume the normal opening hours from April 3 (Monday). However, weekday opening hours of 27 Students' Study Rooms will be extended till 10 pm from next Saturday (April 1).

The adjustment is made on the basis of data gathered from a pilot scheme to ascertain public's need for library services during 8 to 10 pm on weekdays.

The seven Libraries in the New Territories include Tsuen Wan Central Library, Tuen Mun Central Library, Sheung Shui Public Library and Yuen Long Public Library, which close on Mondays, as well as Sha Tin Central Library, South Kwai Chung Public Library and Tai Po Public Library, which close on Thursdays.

Normal opening hours of those Libraries start from 9 am and end at 8 pm during weekdays, 7 pm on Saturdays and 5 pm on Sundays and public holidays.

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) has completed a pilot scheme starting from last August. Data gathered from the scheme show that except for the Students' Study Room, usage of other library facilities is low during the extension of opening hours. LCSD therefore decided to extend the weekday opening hours of its 27 Students' Study Rooms till 10 pm while the seven Libraries in the New Territories will resume normal.

The Students' Study Rooms are located at the Public Libraries in Aberdeen, Chai Wan, Lockhart Road, Pokfulam, Quarry Bay and Shek Tong Tsui at Hong Kong Island; Kowloon Central Library as well as the Public Libraries in Fa Yuen Street, Lai Chi Kok, Ngau Chi Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, Po On Road, San Po Kong, Shui Wo Street, To Kwa Wan and Yau Ma Tei at Kowloon; the Central Libraries in Sha Tin and Tsuen Wan as well as the Public Libraries in Tuen Mun, Cheung Chau, North Kwai Chung, Sai Kung, Sheung Shui, South Kwai Chung, Tai Po, Tsing Yi and Yuen Long at the New Territories.

To better meet the readers' needs, LCSD will further review the library opening hours after the enhancement of the library automation system, installation of self-charging terminals and drop boxes services later this year.

End/Friday, March 24, 2000

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