Kowloon Public Library

22°19′07″N 114°10′34″E / 22.318552°N 114.176091°E / 22.318552; 114.176091

Kowloon Public Library
九龍公共圖書館
Location	5 Pui Ching Road, Ho Man Tin,  Hong Kong
Type	Public
Established	1984
Other information
Parent organisation	Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Website	Official website

Kowloon Public Library
Traditional Chinese	九龍公共圖書館
Transcriptions Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Gáu lùhng jūng yēung tòuh syū gún Jyutping Gau2 lung4 gung1 gung6 tou4 syu1 gun2

The Kowloon Public Library (Chinese: 九龍公共圖書館) is a public library located in Ho Man Tin, Hong Kong. It was previously known as the Kowloon Central Library (Chinese: 九龍中央圖書館). It is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), and is one of the major public libraries in Hong Kong. The 12-storey building comprises about 4,000 square metres (43,000 sq ft) of floor space.

History

The first public library in Kowloon was the Waterloo Road Library, opened 1965.^[1] It was replaced when the first phase of the then-Kowloon Central Library opened on 16 November 1984, housed in the first purpose-built library building in the territory.^[2] The second phase was opened by Lady Youde, wife of then-Governor Sir Edward Youde, on 9 September 1985.^[3] This event is marked by a plaque at the ground level entrance. The building was designed by the Architectural Office (a branch of Public Works Services of the Hong Kong Government since evolved into the Architectural Services Department) with significant contributions by staff architect Pau Shiu-hung.^[4] It was originally run under the auspices of the Urban Council Public Libraries before that entity was dissolved into the newly formed LCSD. The library took on its present name in 2000 in anticipation of the opening of the Hong Kong Central Library.

A renovation of the library began in May 2005. The facilities were refurbished, and the Computer and Information Centre was expanded.^[5] In January 2007, the exterior of the library was refreshed when the dark brown walls were repainted white and green.^[2]

Facilities

The students' study room on the third storey is well-used by students of many schools in the vicinity; namely Pui Ching Middle School, New Method College, Wah Yan College, Yu Chun Keung Memorial College, and others. During the examination period each year (March to May) admission cards are required to enter, while the study room is open to the general public the other nine months of the year.

On 4 May 2007 a 200 square metres (2,200 sq ft) Education Resource Centre opened on the ninth storey providing members of the public and teaching professionals opportunity for continuous learning in education and related fields. It now contains over 40,000 physical and electronic resources covering educational theory, psychology, sociology, civic education, school administration, linguistics, phonology, bilingual education, as well as local and foreign serials, syllabuses and learning assessment data. It also provides information on language learning resources in both Chinese and English, as well as several "language learning booths".^[2][6]

Facilities by floor

12F	Stacks
11F	Stacks
10F	Reference Library
9F	Reference Library, Education Resource Centre
8F	Computer and Information Centre, extension activities room, multimedia library
7F	Adult Library (English Department)
6F	Adult Library (Chinese Department), female toilets
5F	Newspapers and periodicals, coffee corner, male toilets, children's activities room
4F	Children's Library
3F	Library offices, students' study rooms
2F	Circulation desk, escalator entrance
GF	Ground level entrance, public toilets

References

Central libraryMajor librariesDistrict libraries

Hong Kong Island	Aberdeen Public Library Chai Wan Public Library Lockhart Road Public Library North Point Public Library Quarry Bay Public Library Shek Tong Tsui Public Library
Kowloon	Fa Yuen Street Public Library Lai Chi Kok Public Library Lam Tin Public Library Ngau Chi Wan Public Library Ngau Tau Kok Public Library Po On Road Public Library San Po Kong Public Library Shui Wo Street Public Library To Kwa Wan Public Library Yau Ma Tei Public Library
New Territories	Cheung Chau Public Library Fanling Public Library Ma On Shan Public Library North Kwai Chung Public Library Sai Kung Public Library Sheung Shui Public Library South Kwai Chung Public Library Tai Hing Public Library Tai Po Public Library Tiu Keng Leng Public Library Tseung Kwan O Public Library Tsing Yi Public Library Tung Chung Public Library Yuen Chau Kok Public Library Yuen Long Public Library

Small libraries

Hong Kong Island	Ap Lei Chau Public Library Electric Road Public Library Pok Fu Lam Public Library Siu Sai Wan Public Library Smithfield Public Library Stanley Public Library Wong Nai Chung Public Library Yiu Tung Public Library
Kowloon	Fu Shan Public Library Hung Hom Public Library Kowloon City Public Library Lei Yue Mun Public Library Lok Fu Public Library Lung Hing Public Library Sau Mau Ping Public Library Shek Kip Mei Public Library Shun Lee Estate Public Library Tai Kok Tsui Public Library Tsim Sha Tsui Public Library Tsz Wan Shan Public Library Un Chau Street Public Library
New Territories	Butterfly Estate Public Library Lek Yuen Public Library Mui Wo Public Library North Lamma Public Library Peng Chau Public Library Sha Tau Kok Public Library Shek Wai Kok Public Library South Lamma Public Library Tai O Public Library Tin Shui Wai North Public Library