Mobile Library Services Under Scrutiny, Lawmaker Cites Inconvenient Hours
Crhk · 3 SOURCESabout 7 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Ombudsman has initiated an active investigation into three LCSD library services—mobile libraries, the "Hei" mobile libraries, and self-service library stations—following findings of frequent service suspensions and vastly divergent usage rates across different locations. Legislative Council member Lee Ka-kui highlighted that current operating hours fail to accommodate working residents and called for a comprehensive review of library layout using data-driven approaches.
Key Points
- The Ombudsman announced the active investigation on January 6, targeting 12 mobile libraries under the LCSD.
- Annual visits to mobile library service stations at public housing estates range from just dozens to several thousand, indicating serious site selection problems.
- Current operating hours run from 10am to 6pm, with no service on Sundays and public holidays, making access difficult for office workers.
- The "Hei" mobile library's school visit frequency is also reported as low by the Ombudsman's office.
- Hong Kong currently has only three self-service library stations, compared to Shenzhen's 300-plus stations distributed across residential areas, commercial centers, and MTR stations.
Why It Matters
The investigation exposes systemic inefficiencies in how Hong Kong delivers library services to underserved areas, while Lee's proposals for data-driven optimization and expanded self-service stations could reshape public access to reading materials amid declining global reading habits.
The investigation exposes systemic inefficiencies in how Hong Kong delivers library services to underserved areas, while Lee's proposals for data-driven optimization and expanded self-service stations could reshape public access to reading materials amid declining global reading habits.