Hong Kong Public Library
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Public Library (HKPL) system in Hong Kong
consists of 66 static and 10 mobile libraries
offering a total collection of 12.5 million items. The network of libraries are interconnected by a digitalised library management system, the busiest (number of visits) and one of the largest in the world offering both Chinese
and English
capabilities.
Hong Kong's first public library
opened in 1962 at City Hall, Hong Kong
, which was also the central library for many years before the opening of the Central Library
.
Unlike most public libraries (under local jurisdiction) HKPL is under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
, a ministry-like department in the Hong Kong Government, after dismissal of Urban Council and Regional Council before the commence of 2000. Prior to 1999, the Regional Council and the Urban Council managed the library system in the territory.
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...
consists of 66 static and 10 mobile libraries
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
offering a total collection of 12.5 million items. The network of libraries are interconnected by a digitalised library management system, the busiest (number of visits) and one of the largest in the world offering both Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
capabilities.
Hong Kong's first public library
Public library
A public library is a library that is accessible by the public and is generally funded from public sources and operated by civil servants. There are five fundamental characteristics shared by public libraries...
opened in 1962 at City Hall, Hong Kong
City Hall, Hong Kong
The Hong Kong City Hall is a building located at Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.Since Hong Kong does not designate itself or any part of itself as a city, there is no mayor or city council; therefore, the City Hall does not hold the offices of a city government, unlike most...
, which was also the central library for many years before the opening of the Central Library
Hong Kong Central Library
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....
.
Unlike most public libraries (under local jurisdiction) HKPL is under the Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Leisure and Cultural Services Department
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department , often abbreviated as LCSD, is a department in the Government of Hong Kong. It reports to the Home Affairs Bureau, headed by the Secretary for Home Affairs. It provides leisure and cultural activities for the people of Hong Kong, which was also one of...
, a ministry-like department in the Hong Kong Government, after dismissal of Urban Council and Regional Council before the commence of 2000. Prior to 1999, the Regional Council and the Urban Council managed the library system in the territory.