Hong Kong launches first self-service library station

HONG KONG -- The government of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) announced Tuesday to launch the city's first self-service library station, offering users round-the-clock public library services with enhanced convenience and accessibility.

The library station, located at a public sitting-out area on the Hong Kong Island, allows registered users of the Hong Kong Public Libraries to borrow and return library materials using their library card or Hong Kong identity card, the HKSAR government's Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said.

About 300 Chinese and English books are available for lending, and stock will be replenished every day.

Users can also pick up reserved library materials and pay library fees and charges with Octopus, a stored-value smart card for making electronic payments, at the library station on their own by following simple on-screen instructions.

The library station, with its architectural design concept originated from bamboo writing slips of ancient China, "aims to promote reading in the community," an LCSD spokesperson said, adding that the department plans to launch two more such facilities in other districts of Hong Kong.