Hong Kong Central Library
Encyclopedia
Hong Kong Central Library is the main library of Hong Kong
. It is located at the intersection of Moreton Terrace and Causeway Road
in Causeway Bay
.
Facing the Victoria Harbour, the 12-storey high building resides in a gross area of 9,400 sq. metres plus a floor area of 33,800 sq. metres. The construction cost was HK$
690 million. The Library's collections include around 2.3 million items. It is the main library facility along with the Hong Kong Public Libraries System, which has collections of over 12.1 million items.
The arch-shaped doorway at the facade altitude of the Hong Kong Central Library symbolizes the Gate to Knowledge, while the graphics in the silhouette of triangle, square and circle signify different meanings. The circle stands for the sky, the square for the land and the triangle for the accretion of knowledge.
Opened in May 2001, the Hong Kong Central Library provides a complete variety of library services including:
Readers do not have the choice at the start to narrow their search to books only, to audio-visual materials only or to some other categories or materials.
From any OPAC terminal, readers will know instantaneously whether the item they need is available on the shelf, on loan or being reserved. If it is on loan, readers will also know the date the item is due for return.
In case readers wish to know library related activities that are being held or forthcoming; or wish to check their own borrowing record, like how many books readers have borrowed, which item is overdue, etc., merely follow the menu options and readers will find them all. Readers may also carry out renewal and reservation at any OPAC terminal.
Multimedia Information System is an example of all-embracing use of information technology and computer application in the Hong Kong Central Library. A three level audio-on-demand (AOD) and video-on-demand (VOD) system has been set up:
In order to enable more public to use the first level video and third level audio and video of the AOD/VOD system, about 90 Asynchronous Transfer Mode
(ATM) terminals are installed in the Hong Kong Central Library. Meanwhile, the public can also utilize the AOD system by using the over 400 LAN workstations in the Central Library.
In addition, the Hong Kong Central Library provides document imaging materials, such as drawing
s, manuscript
s, microfilms, clipping
s, report
s, poster
s, house programmes, newspaper
s, photos, map
s, pictures, black-and-white document images etc. After clearance of the relevant copyright
/licensing terms, the materials are digitised and stored in the multimedia databases for all set access of users.
Comparing with the traditional library services, the digital library can provide better services in the way that:
The Multimedia Information Services have already been extended to other public libraries. Depending on user demand, the Hong Kong Central Library may also make more workstations available for use.
The Hong Kong Central Library is an intelligent building, built on a network flooring system to offer litheness for the supply of power, telecommunication and further alteration and extension. Hong Kong Central Library has been designated as the legal deposit
ory library in Hong Kong for nine global organizations:
Materials published by these organisations will have copies sent to this library. These materials are accessible to the public via a variety of methods.
Reading tables are all provided with separate power points and dataline outlets through which library patrons can use their own portable computers to access the library network and the Internet
. Readers can also retrieve a wide range of multimedia databases on CD-ROM
s and the Internet through the LAN
/ATM
workstations.
café outside the library area on the first floor behind the bookshop.
The Hong Kong Central Library has 11 storeys, each with its theme purpose.
Notes:
In addition, male, female and toilets for the disabled, as well as information counters are available on every floor except 7/F and 11/F.
(錢鍾書). When the library was first opened, it was found that the second character in Qian's name, 鍾, was mis-represented as 鐘. The mistake drew some criticism against the new library, which contains the greatest number of reference books among the public libraries in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. It is located at the intersection of Moreton Terrace and Causeway Road
Causeway Road
Causeway Road is a main road in Hong Kong. Situated in Causeway Bay, it joins Yee Wo Street in the west and King's Road. It is a boundary of Eastern District and Wan Chai District...
in Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay
Causeway Bay is a heavily built-up area of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, located on the Hong Kong Island, and covering parts of Wan Chai and Eastern districts. The Chinese name is also romanized as Tung Lo Wan as in Tung Lo Wan Road...
.
Facing the Victoria Harbour, the 12-storey high building resides in a gross area of 9,400 sq. metres plus a floor area of 33,800 sq. metres. The construction cost was HK$
Hong Kong dollar
The Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
690 million. The Library's collections include around 2.3 million items. It is the main library facility along with the Hong Kong Public Libraries System, which has collections of over 12.1 million items.
The arch-shaped doorway at the facade altitude of the Hong Kong Central Library symbolizes the Gate to Knowledge, while the graphics in the silhouette of triangle, square and circle signify different meanings. The circle stands for the sky, the square for the land and the triangle for the accretion of knowledge.
Services
- inclusive reference and information services
- self-charging terminals
- Bookdrop service (available during library non-opening hours)
- information kiosks
- Multimedia Information System (MMIS).
Online Public Access Catalogue
The Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) enables readers to rummage around the whole Chinese and English collections of the Hong Kong Public Libraries. Over and above a wide assortment of search options, such as author, title, subject, etc.Readers do not have the choice at the start to narrow their search to books only, to audio-visual materials only or to some other categories or materials.
From any OPAC terminal, readers will know instantaneously whether the item they need is available on the shelf, on loan or being reserved. If it is on loan, readers will also know the date the item is due for return.
In case readers wish to know library related activities that are being held or forthcoming; or wish to check their own borrowing record, like how many books readers have borrowed, which item is overdue, etc., merely follow the menu options and readers will find them all. Readers may also carry out renewal and reservation at any OPAC terminal.
Multimedia Information System (MMIS)
- 1st level: built upon the high quality video-audio serverServer (computing)In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
s. Users can access the system in sync. - 2nd level: consists of serverServer (computing)In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
s and jukeboxJukeboxA jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that will play a patron's selection from self-contained media...
es. It is a more economical channel for the public to search for less frequently used audioSoundSound is a mechanical wave that is an oscillation of pressure transmitted through a solid, liquid, or gas, composed of frequencies within the range of hearing and of a level sufficiently strong to be heard, or the sensation stimulated in organs of hearing by such vibrations.-Propagation of...
/videoVideoVideo is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
materials. - 3rd level: a conventional video/audio distribution network is used. Users can access media of most formats using LDLDLD may refer to:In science and mathematics:*Lethal dose#, where "#" represents the percentage of test organisms killed by a specific dosage , e.g...
, VCDVCDVCD is a three-letter abbreviation with multiple meanings, as described below:* VCD Athletic, semi-professional football team* Video CD* Voice command device* Value change dump * Vocal cord dysfunction* Visual Communication and Design...
, DVDDVDA DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, CD player and cassette player.
In order to enable more public to use the first level video and third level audio and video of the AOD/VOD system, about 90 Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Asynchronous Transfer Mode is a standard switching technique designed to unify telecommunication and computer networks. It uses asynchronous time-division multiplexing, and it encodes data into small, fixed-sized cells. This differs from approaches such as the Internet Protocol or Ethernet that...
(ATM) terminals are installed in the Hong Kong Central Library. Meanwhile, the public can also utilize the AOD system by using the over 400 LAN workstations in the Central Library.
In addition, the Hong Kong Central Library provides document imaging materials, such as drawing
Drawing
Drawing is a form of visual art that makes use of any number of drawing instruments to mark a two-dimensional medium. Common instruments include graphite pencils, pen and ink, inked brushes, wax color pencils, crayons, charcoal, chalk, pastels, markers, styluses, and various metals .An artist who...
s, manuscript
Manuscript
A manuscript or handwrite is written information that has been manually created by someone or some people, such as a hand-written letter, as opposed to being printed or reproduced some other way...
s, microfilms, clipping
Clipping
-Words:* Clipping , the cutting-out of articles from a paper publication* Clipping , shortening the articulation of a speech sound, usually a vowel* Clipping , the formation of a new word by shortening it, e.g...
s, report
Report
A report is a textual work made with the specific intention of relaying information or recounting certain events in a widely presentable form....
s, poster
Poster
A poster is any piece of printed paper designed to be attached to a wall or vertical surface. Typically posters include both textual and graphic elements, although a poster may be either wholly graphical or wholly text. Posters are designed to be both eye-catching and informative. Posters may be...
s, house programmes, newspaper
Newspaper
A newspaper is a scheduled publication containing news of current events, informative articles, diverse features and advertising. It usually is printed on relatively inexpensive, low-grade paper such as newsprint. By 2007, there were 6580 daily newspapers in the world selling 395 million copies a...
s, photos, map
Map
A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, regions, and themes....
s, pictures, black-and-white document images etc. After clearance of the relevant copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
/licensing terms, the materials are digitised and stored in the multimedia databases for all set access of users.
Comparing with the traditional library services, the digital library can provide better services in the way that:
- user can search information once there are networked workstations;
- multiple users can search for and use the same library materials concurrently;
- research and accessing information becomes more effective, efficient and in-depth;
- research means are of a greater variety, such as searching by colour format, style and structure, etc.
The Multimedia Information Services have already been extended to other public libraries. Depending on user demand, the Hong Kong Central Library may also make more workstations available for use.
Legal Deposit Library
Legal deposit
Legal deposit is a legal requirement that a person or group submit copies of their publications to a repository, usually a library. The requirement is mostly limited to books and periodicals. The number of copies varies and can range from one to 19 . Typically, the national library is one of the...
ory library in Hong Kong for nine global organizations:
- Asian Development BankAsian Development BankThe Asian Development Bank is a regional development bank established on 22 August 1966 to facilitate economic development of countries in Asia...
- European UnionEuropean UnionThe European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
- International Labour OrganizationInternational Labour OrganizationThe International Labour Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour issues pertaining to international labour standards. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland. Its secretariat — the people who are employed by it throughout the world — is known as the...
- International Maritime OrganizationInternational Maritime OrganizationThe International Maritime Organization , formerly known as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization , was established in Geneva in 1948, and came into force ten years later, meeting for the first time in 1959...
- United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural OrganizationUNESCOThe United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
- World BankWorld Bank GroupThe World Bank Group is a family of five international organizations that makes leveraged loans, generally to poor countries.The Bank came into formal existence on 27 December 1945 following international ratification of the Bretton Woods agreements, which emerged from the United Nations Monetary...
- World Trade OrganizationWorld Trade OrganizationThe World Trade Organization is an organization that intends to supervise and liberalize international trade. The organization officially commenced on January 1, 1995 under the Marrakech Agreement, replacing the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade , which commenced in 1948...
- World Food ProgrammeWorld Food ProgrammeThe World Food Programme is the food aid branch of the United Nations, and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger worldwide. WFP provides food, on average, to 90 million people per year, 58 million of whom are children...
Materials published by these organisations will have copies sent to this library. These materials are accessible to the public via a variety of methods.
Reading tables are all provided with separate power points and dataline outlets through which library patrons can use their own portable computers to access the library network and the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. Readers can also retrieve a wide range of multimedia databases on CD-ROM
CD-ROM
A CD-ROM is a pre-pressed compact disc that contains data accessible to, but not writable by, a computer for data storage and music playback. The 1985 “Yellow Book” standard developed by Sony and Philips adapted the format to hold any form of binary data....
s and the Internet through the LAN
Local area network
A local area network is a computer network that interconnects computers in a limited area such as a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building...
/ATM
Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Asynchronous Transfer Mode is a standard switching technique designed to unify telecommunication and computer networks. It uses asynchronous time-division multiplexing, and it encodes data into small, fixed-sized cells. This differs from approaches such as the Internet Protocol or Ethernet that...
workstations.
Discussion Rooms
Several floors of the Hong Kong Central Library have discussion rooms available for rental at a fixed charge on an hourly basis, and on a 30-minute basis thereafter.Café
The library houses a DélifranceDélifrance
Délifrance is a bakery company that serves "French style" bakery products in over 50 countries on five continents. It has been in operation for more than 25 years....
café outside the library area on the first floor behind the bookshop.
Floor plan
G/F: Special Rooms
- Activities Room*
- Exhibition Gallery
- Lecture Theatre*
- User Education Hall
1/F: Reception
- Main Library Entrance
- Cloakroom
- Book and Gift Shop
- Book Drop
- Cafeteria
- Book circulation counters
- Self-charging terminals
2/F: Children's Library
- Children's Lending Library
- Children's Reference Library
- Picture Book Corner
- Children's Multimedia Room
- Children's Activity Room
- Toy Library
4/F: Special Reading Area
- Newspapers and Periodicals Stack
- Back Issues of Newspapers and Periodicals Reading Area
- Microform Production Room**
- Book Repair / Conservation Room**
5/F: Special Reading Area
- Current Newspapers and Periodicals Reading Area
- Microform Reading Area
- Computer and Information Centre
- Map Library
6/F: Young Adult Library
- Young Adult Library
- Audio-visual Library
- Discussion Room*
- Language Learning Centre
- Self-charging terminals
8/F: Central Reference Library
- General Reference Department
- Hong Kong Studies Department
- Hong Kong Literature Room
- United Nations Collection
- Depository Collections
9/F: Central Reference Library
- Social Sciences Department
- Humanities Department
- Science and Technology Department
- Business and Finance Department
- Discussion Room*
10/F: Arts Resource Centre
- Arts Library / Arts Resource Centre
- Music Practice Room*
- Discussion Room*
- Pornographic Section*
- Hong Kong Central Library Office**
11/F: Offices
- Hong Kong Public Library Offices**
Notes:
* In-advance booking required for usage** Not open to public
In addition, male, female and toilets for the disabled, as well as information counters are available on every floor except 7/F and 11/F.
Anecdote
There existed some memorial plaques dedicated to famous modern Chinese writers in the library, one of them was for the witty and erudite scholar-novelist Qian ZhongshuQian Zhongshu
Qian Zhongshu was a Chinese literary scholar and writer, known for his wit and erudition.He is best known for his satiric novel Fortress Besieged . His works of non-fiction are characterised by their large amount of quotations in both Chinese and Western languages...
(錢鍾書). When the library was first opened, it was found that the second character in Qian's name, 鍾, was mis-represented as 鐘. The mistake drew some criticism against the new library, which contains the greatest number of reference books among the public libraries in Hong Kong.
External links
- Hong Kong Public Libraries Official website
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