Self-service library stations to provide books on demand for Hong Kong readers
Readers can now borrow from 300 books from the vending machine-style station located at Sai Wan Ho
The words are on the street after Hong Kong’s public libraries operator opened the city’s first self-service book station on Tuesday.
Readers can now borrow from 300 books on the shelves of the vending machine-style station – which is located at Sai Wan Ho in the east of Hong Kong Island – with a scan of their library card or preregistered Hong Kong ID card.
Two more stations will be launched in the second half of 2018, one at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui and another at Tai Wai station in Sha Tin. The three stations were estimated to cost HK$7.8 million (US$1.18 million) to build and HK$4.8 million each year to operate, according to Lee Tsz-chun, the chief librarian in charge of operations and computerisation at Hong Kong Public Libraries.
“By putting these books in the community through the self-service station, we hope to make access to books easier for citizens and promote a reading culture,” Lee said.
Keep Hong Kong libraries open until late night like in Taipei and Singapore, adviser urges, after criticism by Ombudsman
The self-service station provides an extra channel for readers such as working professionals to borrow books outside normal working hours, Lee said. Readers can also pick up books they have requested from public libraries.