Hong Kong ICT Awards 2015

  "Library at Your Fingertips", a key project of the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL) of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) featuring e-services for library e-resources and mobile apps, has won the Best Lifestyle (Learning & Living) Gold Award at the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2015.

     "Library at Your Fingertips" consists of both the "My Library" and "Multimedia Information" mobile apps and the thematic page for e-Resources on the library website. All these e-services allow the public to enjoy library services and digital resources anytime and anywhere, and satisfy their demand for information, knowledge and leisure, which demonstrates the concept of a "library without walls".

     The "My Library" and "Multimedia Information" apps have various user-oriented functions. The former provides access to personal library accounts; searching for, reserving and renewing of library materials; and locating the nearest libraries through the Global Positioning System. The latter allows users to search the content of the Multimedia Information System (MMIS) of the HKPL, including over 2.5 million pages of digitised images and text in more than 20 digital collections. Moreover, the e-Resources thematic page houses over 60 electronic databases, 200,000 e-books, 1 million musical tracks and audio books. These e-services offer delightful experiences, quality information and valuable resources to the public. Users can enjoy the convenience of online library services and resources with just a few taps on any smartphone or tablet.

     The Awards programme was steered by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, and organised by 10 Hong Kong ICT industry associations and professional bodies. The selection criteria for the Awards included innovation and creativity in information and communications technology, functionality, market potential and performance, benefits and impact, and quality. Below were the comments from Judging Panel:

"Hong Kong Public Libraries has been innovative in adapting latest technologies to provide the public with its services. The mobile applications not only enrich the content of library but also allow the public to use the library services anytime and anywhere. This demonstrates a good combination of mobile technology and ICT technology and encourages reading and brings content to the readers."

     The mobile apps are downloadable from Google Play or the App Store for free. Readers can also browse the HKPL website at http://mmis.hkpl.gov.hk to learn more about the MMIS services or http://www.hkpl.gov.hk/e-resources for the e-Resources thematic page.