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The newly-built Chai Wan Public Library opens today (December 19) offering a comprehensive library service to the residents of Chai Wan. Officiating at the opening ceremony were the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services, Mr Paul Leung and Chairman of the Eastern District Council, Ms Ting Yuk-chee.

Located at 4 - 5/F, Chai Wan Municipal Services Building, 338 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan Road and very near to various housing estates, the Library is a convenient place for the public to enjoy reading and self-learning.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Paul Leung said the Chai Wan Public Library which was first opened in April 1979, had been well patronized by local residents for more than two decades.

"However, with the advancement in technology, expansion in library collection and rapid growth of local population, the library could no longer meet the needs of the residents in terms of its size and facilities. It is necessary to provide a new library of modern standard to replace the old one," he said.

The new Chai Wan Public Library occupies an area of 2 500 square meters, which is nearly two times the size of the old one. Its facilities include an adult library, a children's library, a quick reference section, a newspapers and periodicals section, an extension activities room, a students' study room, a multi-media library and a computer and information center. Also, self-charging terminals and book drop service are provided to facilitate the borrowing and returning of library materials.

Mr Leung pointed out that a special feature of the Library is the provision of a coffee corner at the library for readers to take a break. "This is the first district library to provide a coffee corner and we will introduce similar facilities to other new district libraries in future," he said.

The Chai Wan Public Library has a rich collection of updated reference materials covering a wide range of disciplines. In addition to an initial book stock of some 150 000 volumes of Chinese and English books, 9 000 compact discs and audio cassette tapes and 4 000 volumes of quick reference books are available.

Moreover, the public may access to more than 150 titles of local and overseas newspapers and periodicals in the newspapers and periodicals section. Also, about 5 000 audio cassette tapes, compact discs, video cassette tapes, video discs, video compact discs and CD-ROMs are housed to satisfy the public's needs.

In order to cope with the increasing demand for self-learning, the Library has 52 computer terminals for readers to gain access to the multimedia materials, the Internet and the CD-ROM search facilities. Twelve Online Public Access Catalogue terminals are also installed.

The Library will also organise extension activities from children's hours to interest clubs and reading programme activities and book displays to promote interest in reading.

The Chai Wan Public Library opens from 10 am to 7 pm from Mondays to Thursday, closes on 9 pm on Friday, and 5 pm on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Students and members of cultural and educational organisations which are interested to have a better understanding of the Library's facilities and services are welcome to contact the Library for group visits. For enquiries, please call 2921 5055.

End/Wednesday, December 19, 2001

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