Library reading to go 24/7

Borrowing library books is set to go 24/7 afterself-service machines are installed in public housing estates.

The Tak Long Estate in Kai Tak is set to be the first housing estate to receive two such machines.

Eight more will be put up in other estates in the near future, said Hong Kong Care Association.

To promote reading among public housing residents, the association is also prepared to launch the service in light public housing and transitional housing estates in future. Huang Yisheng, president of the Kowloon City Community Care Development Fund, hopes this will mean whole new reading experience for the children as existing mobile library services do not cover fully the needs of local residents.

"These self-service machines can provide 24-hour service and let them borrow books at any time they want," Huang said. "This will cultivate unique reading atmosphere in the community."