Kowloon Public Library, Public library in Kowloon City District, Hong Kong.
Kowloon Public Library is a public library in the Kowloon City District of Hong Kong, spread across twelve floors. The collection covers materials in both Chinese and English, serving readers from children to adults.
The first public library in Kowloon, the Waterloo Road Library, opened in 1965. Its replacement, the first purpose-built library building in Hong Kong, opened in two phases: the first on 16 November 1984 and the second on 9 September 1985, inaugurated by Lady Youde, wife of Governor Sir Edward Youde; a plaque at the ground-level entrance marks the event. The building was designed by the Architectural Office with contributions from staff architect Pau Shiu-hung. It was renamed Kowloon Public Library in 2000 ahead of the Hong Kong Central Library's opening.
The library's name changed from Kowloon Central Library to Kowloon Public Library in 2000, ahead of the Hong Kong Central Library's opening. A plaque at the ground-level entrance records the 1985 second-phase opening by Lady Youde, wife of then-Governor Sir Edward Youde. The third-floor students' study room is used mainly by pupils of nearby Pui Ching Middle School, New Method College, Wah Yan College and Yu Chun Keung Memorial College.
The library is easy to reach on foot or by public transport in the Kowloon City area. A 24-hour book return slot is available outside the building for those who cannot return items during opening hours.
Between March and May, when exam season is at its peak, students need a special admission card to enter the study room on the third floor. This rule applies only during that period and is meant to keep the space free for those who need it most.
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