Smithfield Public Library, Public library in Central and Western District, Hong Kong
Smithfield Public Library sits on the third floor of the Municipal Services Building, housing book collections, digital resources, and multiple study areas. The layout is organized into distinct sections that serve different research and reading needs.
The library opened on 16 August 1996 on the third floor of the Smithfield Municipal Services Building, a seven-storey complex whose construction began in April 1993 at a cost of HK$221.75 million. The building replaced the Kennedy Town cattle quarantine depot, known as the "Kennedy Town cow shed", which closed in 1986. The Urban Council ran the library until its dissolution on 1 January 2000, when the Leisure and Cultural Services Department took over.
The library holds collections in English and Chinese, reflecting the linguistic diversity that shapes Hong Kong's reading culture. Visitors move between these two languages naturally while browsing the shelves.
The library occupies the third floor of Smithfield Municipal Services Building at 12K Smithfield Road, Kennedy Town. It closes all day on Thursdays. The building also houses a market, cooked food centre and sports centre, so lifts are shared with other users.
The public toilet in the Smithfield Municipal Services Building won the gold award at the 2021 Hong Kong Best Public Toilet Competition, organised by the Hong Kong Toilet Association for World Toilet Day. Judges noted the clean environment, green plants beside the washbasins, and that some cleaning staff speak English; they also received the best cleaning staff toilet award.
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