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Hong Kong public libraries losing popularity

Research paper suggests different ways libraries can adapt to modern people’s needs

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Hong Kong Central Library is the largest library in Hong Kong. Photo: Felix Wong

Public libraries are falling out of favour with Hongkongers, prompting grave concerns whether they need to be re-oriented to meet people’s changing needs.

The number of visits to the city’s 18 district libraries declined by 3 per cent between 2012 and 2014, while the circulation of e-books in public libraries fell by 7 per cent between 2011 and 2014, according to a research brief released by the Legislative Council Secretariat on Monday.

Meanwhile, the numbers of books multimedia items on loan decreased by a cumulative 11 per cent and 52 per cent respectively between 2005 and 2014.

The document attributed the lacklustre library usage to the limited collection of library materials in Hong Kong. In fact, the collection of public libraries was only 1.9 items per capita in 2015. This figure was about one third less than average for developed cities.

Poorer districts – including Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po and Kwai Tsing – tended to have smaller library collections, despite residents in poorer places ranking among the top library goers in Hong Kong.

Kwai Tsing district councillor Rayman Chow Wai-hung said: “Residents have reflected that there are not enough books in my area. For example, there are not enough copies of the bestsellers, and residents say that sometimes they have to wait two to three months to get their hands on one.”

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