The Arts Resource Centre is housed on the 10th floor of the Hong Kong Central Library, occupying an area of about 1,850 square metres. It is a specialized arts reference library aiming at providing arts related information and reference services.

Objectives

• To provide full range of information and reference services on the subject of arts to the general public;
   
• To help develop local arts and enhance local culture and arts researches;
   
• To nourish the general public's interest in arts and to enhance their level of appreciation;
   
• Comprehensively collect and preserve arts materials of Hong Kong

RESOURCES

The Centre has a collection size of more than 224,000 items including books, music scores, periodicals, audio-visual and multi-media materials, online databases, etc. The collection is in both Chinese and English and covers various disciplines in arts such as music, paintings, calligraphy, design, photography, sculptures, architecture, theatre, dance and films, etc. Some of the house programmes, posters and newspaper clippings related to arts have been digitized after clearance of copyright and can be accessed via the Multimedia Information System of Hong Kong Public Libraries.

Readers can make use of the computer terminals in the Centre to search for the Library Catalogue, the Internet, the Multi-Media Information System as well as the Online Databases. Besides, black and white as well as colour photocopying and computer printing services are also available in the Centre. The Centre also provides reading tables with ports connectable to the Internet and leisure reading sofas for readers.

The Centre also has an Arts Document Reading Room which provides readers with access to special collections of arts document, services and facilities for research purpose. Discussion Rooms and Music Practice Room are also available for hiring.

Hong Kong Music Collection

Through the Hong Kong Music Collection Campaign, the special collection housed in the Centre has received more than some 67,000 items of local music materials including manuscripts of music scores, lyrics and opera scripts, audio-visual materials, photos, programme leaflets, house programmes, posters and newspaper clippings, etc. The special collection aims at developing the understandings of preservation of Hong Kong music archive and encouraging studies and researches on Hong Kong music.

Artwork on Loan

Jointly organized by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Artwork on Loan Scheme aims at promoting local arts, expanding the arts market and participation from the society. Commencing August 2003, readers can loan out duplicated artworks for home appreciation from the Centre with a valid library card of the Hong Kong Public Libraries.

Online Databases on Arts

Academic Research Library via ProQuest 5000
Art Full-text in OmniFile Full Text Mega
ARTbibliographies Modern
Design and Applied Arts Index
International Index to Music Periodicals Full-text (IIMPFT)
International Index to the Performing Arts Full-text (IIPAFT)
Music In Print Series
Naxos Music Library

The above Online Databases provide information on arts and they are available for searching in the Arts Resource Centre.

Online Catalogue

Members of public are welcome to search the Library Catalogue for any specific titles and relevant topics.

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES

The Arts Resource Centre organizes monthly exhibitions and books displays to introduce and promote different arts topics. Besides, the Centre will also cooperate with local arts organizations to hold various kinds of outreach activities such as subject talks and seminars, etc.

LOCATION & OPENING HOURS

The Arts Resource Centre is located at:
10/F., Hong Kong Central Library,
66 Causeway Road, Causeway Bay,
Hong Kong.
Tel.: (852) 2921 0259

Opening Hours

Disclaimer

The web sites listed in this Resources Guide are provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. Their inclusion here does not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Leisure and Cultural Services Department of any of the products, services, or opinions of the organizations or individuals concerned. Leisure and Cultural Services Department bears no responsibility for the accuracy or the content of external sites or for that of subsequent links. Please contact the external site's administrator for answers to questions regarding any of these sites.