************************************************************
The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), supported by the MTR Corporation (MTRC), launched a new book drop service at three major MTR interchange stations today (September 29).
A total of 12 book drop boxes have been installed in the paid areas of three MTR interchange stations, namely, Central, Kowloon Tong and Nam Cheong. The book drops at Central Station are located in the transfer concourse near the pedestrian subway to Hong Kong Station, in the concourse area near the Station Control Room and near exits J and K (close to the ticket gates). The book drops at Kowloon Tong Station are located at the Kwun Tong Line concourse (toward exits A and E and next to the Customer Service Centre), while those at Nam Cheong Station are located in the West Rail Line concourse (toward exits A and B and toward exits C and D). (Please see attachment.)
An LCSD spokesman said, "The book drops are available for public's use during the operating hours of the three MTR stations. The guidelines for using the book drop service at the MTR stations are the same as those currently installed outside the public libraries.
"The book drop boxes are used solely for returning books borrowed from the public libraries. For overdue books and fragile non-book materials such as audio cassette, CDs, etc., members of the public are requested to return them directly to the public libraries."
On the logistics of book transfer, the spokesman said the LCSD had hired a contractor to collect the returned books from the book drops at the three MTR stations three times daily.
"The contractor will deliver the collected books to a processing centre at which the loan records of readers will be updated as soon as possible and the books will then be delivered back to the respective libraries.
"Books will not be treated as overdue as long as they are deposited in the book drops on or before their due dates," he said.
The trial scheme to provide drop boxes at major MTR interchange stations was announced by the Chief Executive in his 2010-11 Policy Address. The MTRC had rendered great assistance in implementing the scheme, from providing space free of charge for the installation of book drop boxes to assisting in the design and selection of suitable locations for placing the book drops.
"The new book drop scheme is a value-added service of the HKPL which seeks to make book return more convenient for MTR commuters especially the working public. It is hoped that the new service will also encourage people to make fuller use of library service and help promote the culture of reading," the spokesman added.
For enquiries on the trial book drop service, please call 2414 5555 or visit the HKPL's website at www.hkpl.gov.hk .
Ends/Thursday, September 29, 2011
Issued at HKT 18:21
NNNN