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The Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa officiated at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong Central Library (HKCL) today (Wednesday). This is an important milestone in the cultural development of Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive said in his speech that the HKCL, equipped with the state-of-the-art facilities and extensive collections of reference materials and electronic references, is well-positioned to meet the community's needs for information, lifelong learning and the profitable use of leisure.

He also added that he would like to see the HKCL fulfill the role of a centre for the promotion of Hong Kong literary arts and a community cultural centre.

He stressed that the SAR Government is committed to further developing the Central Library into a world-class library which plays an important role in supporting Hong Kong's education reform and transition into a knowledge-based economy.

Also officiating at the ceremony were Mr Lam Woo-kwong, Secretary for Home Affairs; Professor Chang Hsin-kang, Chairman of the Culture and Heritage Commission; Dr. Patrick C P Ho, Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council; Mr Chen Qilin, Director, Bureau of Social Culture and Libraries, PRC; Mr Paul Leung, Director of Leisure and Cultural Services; and Mr Pau Shiu-hung, Director of Architectural Services.

After the ceremony, officiating guests had seen for themselves the various facilities and services of the HKCL. They had shown special interest in the newly introduced Multimedia Information System. The Chief Executive also examined closely an old historic document in the Central Book Stack. And finally, they joined a group of children in the Children's Activity Room on the 2/F for a story-telling session and had an enjoyable experience there. They also visited the Basic Law Reference Library, Hong Kong Literature Room, Language Learning Centre, Young Adult Lending and Reference Library and Toy Library.

Also, there were more than 800 local and overseas guests to share the memorable moment of the opening of the HKCL in a festive atmosphere. They were all impressed with the quality environment, the variety of library materials as well as the up-to-date computer technology.

Located at the heart of Causeway Bay overlooking the Victoria Harbour, the 12-storey HKCL is built on a site area of 9 400 square metres with a gross floor of 33 800 square metres and has a public seating capacity of over 2 000.

The HKCL is the biggest library facilities among the Hong Kong Public Libraries System. Its main feature is a Digital Library System. The extensive use of complex and advanced information technology and computer application literally provides members of the public a "library without walls" through which they can access a wide range of information from library terminals and computers at home or at work.

Other significant facilities include the Children's Lending and Reference Library, Toy Library, Adult Lending Library, Map Library, Young Adult Lending and Reference Library, Central Reference Library and Arts Resource Centre.

In addition, it is also equipped with a Multi-media Production Room, Newspapers and Periodicals Reading Area, Microform Production Room, Microform Reading Area, Audio-visual Library, Language Learning Centre, Central Book Stack, Hong Kong Literature Room, Reference and Information Enquiry Centre, User Education Hall, Exhibition Gallery, Lecture Theatre, Activity Rooms and Music Practice Rooms.

To facilitate patrons, there are also Self-charging Terminals, 24-hour Book Return Service, Information Display System, Information Kiosk and Book Conveyance System.

There will be about 1.2 million library materials at the opening and the stock is expected to increase to about two million within five years.

The new Library opens seven days a week totalling 68 hours, which is the most extensive among all public libraries in Hong Kong. It also opens on public holidays (except the first to third day of the Chinese New Year, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, New Year Day and Good Friday).

Details of the opening hours are as follows:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10 am to 9 pm

Wednesdays 1 pm to 9 pm

Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 10 am to 6 pm

For enquires on public library services, please call 2921 0208; for enquires on the HKCL, please call 3150 1234.

End/Wednesday, May 16, 2001

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