Hong Kong Public Libraries
Hong Kong Public Libraries | |
---|---|
Established | 1962 |
Branches | 70 static, 12 mobile [1] |
Collection | |
Size | 11.36 million books and 1.74 million multimedia materials[2] |
Access and use | |
Circulation | 60.0 million [2] |
Population served | 7,184,000 |
Members | 4.1 million borrowers [2] |
Other information | |
Budget | 776.2 million HKD [3] |
Director | Lee Yuk-man, Leisure and Culture Services Assistant Director (Libraries and Development) |
Website | Official website |
Hong Kong Public Libraries | |
---|---|
Hanyu Pinyin | Xiānggǎng Gōnggòng Túshūguǎn |
Yue: Cantonese | |
Jyutping | hoeng1 gong2 gung1 gung6 tou4 syu1 gun2 |
The Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL;
The library head office is located on the eleventh floor of the Hong Kong Central Library in Causeway Bay.[5][6]
History
The first public library of Hong Kong, the City Hall Library, was established in 1869 in the former Hong Kong City Hall.[7] The library ceased to operate after the demolition of the old city hall in 1933.
The first modern library opened in 1962 at the new
The public libraries were originally administered by either the
The Hong Kong Central Library was completed in 2001 and is the largest public library in the territory. This twelve-story building is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies and serves as the administrative headquarters and main library of the public library network. It is also the major information centre for Hong Kong.[11]
Security issue
All libraries in Hong Kong are subject to "Library Regulations" Regulators, the only part of the regulation is out of date. Such as listening area and viewing area, no person shall ─ more than one record or listen to a song, or repeat playing of any record or song; or watch more than one movie or watch a movie more than once.[clarification needed][12]
The library also prohibits photo taking and video recording, especially after smartphones gained popularity since around 2012. Many "No photo-taking" signs are set up in several locations, including the entrance, children's library, staircase, and study rooms. The library also has security to maintain order, including the enforcement of the "No photo-taking" rule. The library does not allow general citizens to apply for photography; only commercial filming is allowed, and standard fees apply.[13]
Controversies
Book censorship
In July 2020, after the passage of the Hong Kong national security law, under the direction of the authorities, the library authority removed select pro-democracy books and marked them "under review". At least nine books were removed, including books by Joshua Wong, Tanya Chan and Horace Chin.[14][15]
In 2021, it was discovered that libraries had removed 29 titles about the
In May 2023, books by cartoonist Zunzi were removed from public libraries, with the LCSD saying, "Hong Kong Public Libraries will periodically review and remove books that do not comply with the development of the collection. Books that are suspected to potentially violate national security law or Hong Kong laws will be immediately removed for review."[17] Hong Kong Free Press reported on multiple titles that were removed since 2020.[18]
In July 2023, the LCSD said that the public is "welcome" to report books that may violate the national security law.[19]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Hong Kong Public Libraries - Introduction". Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong Government. Retrieved 29 March 2016.
- ^ a b c "Cultural services". Annual Report 2012-13. Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ p. 200, "Head 95 - Leisure and Cultural Services Department" (PDF). 2011–12 Budget. John Tsang. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ Lau 2002, pp. 198.
- ^ "library_list_eng.pdf." Hong Kong Public Libraries. Retrieved on 18 April 2017. "Hong Kong Public Libraries Head Office 11/F., 66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay."
- ^ "Location Map of the Hong Kong Central Library." Hong Kong Public Libraries. Retrieved on 18 April 2017. "66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay"
- ISBN 978-1602397064.
- ^ a b c "March 2007 issue". Library Newsletter. Hong Kong Public Libraries. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 1 February 2014.
- ^ "May 2011 issue". Library Newsletter. Hong Kong Public Libraries. Archived from the original on 4 June 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
- ^ Lau 2002, pp. 199.
- ^ Murray, Stuart A. P. “The Library: An Illustrated History.” New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing, 2012, p. 252.
- ^ "Hong Kong e-Legislation". www.elegislation.gov.hk.
- ^ "Welcome to Film Services Office – How To Apply". www.fso-createhk.gov.hk.
- ^ Westbrook, Laura (4 July 2020). "National security law: Hong Kong libraries pull books by some localist and democracy activists for review". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- ^ "Hong Kong security law: Pro-democracy books pulled from libraries". BBC. 5 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- ^ Cheng, Selina (2021-11-21). "Exclusive: Hong Kong public libraries purge 29 titles about the Tiananmen Massacre from the shelves". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ Cheng, Mandy (2023-05-12). "Books by satirical cartoonist Zunzi disappear from Hong Kong public libraries after paper axes comic". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ "'Not recommended' reading: The books Hong Kong is purging from public libraries". Hong Kong Free Press. 2023-05-26. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
- ^ Cheng, Mandy (2023-07-06). "Hongkongers 'welcome' to report library books that may endanger national security". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
Bibliography
- Lau, Y.W. (2002). A History of the Municipal Councils of Hong Kong 1883-1999. Hong Kong: Leisure and Cultural Services Department. ISBN 962-7039-41-1.