Reading as a multi-faceted experience
The first Hong Kong Library Festival promotes the library as more than a place filled with books, but a space where adventures are made and the reading experience is broadened, deepened and made more meaningful.
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Organised by the Hong Kong Public Libraries (HKPL), the festival carrying the theme of “Reading•Creativity” is held at the Hong Kong Central Library from October 24 to November 6, featuring a diverse range of activities including exhibitions, workshops, seminars and musical performances to give readers a multi-faceted experience that promotes reading as an immersive, life-changing adventure. It focuses on the breadth and depth of reading to foster interest and encourage self-study to make the best out of the resources of the library. The festival also highlights the warmth of reading through interactive activities, parent-child reading, etc.
For children, one of the main attractions is the “Gulliver Immersive Storytelling Wall”, featuring an animation of “Gulliver’s Travels” projected on an eight-metre curved wall, next to a gigantic book-shaped installation. The plot of the story can be triggered by touching the wall.
The interactive wall was created by students of the Hong Kong Design Institute based on the famous travel adventure. Horace Pong, one of the student animators, said that he used to read more books when he was in secondary school but now, as someone in the creative media field, he is consuming more content via different media. “We are creating more ways for people to read. The idea of reading is the same; it’s just the formats that are changing.”
The showcase of Hong Kong Publishing Biennale Awards, Hong Kong Biennale Awards for Chinese Literature and DFA Design for Asia Awards introduce visitors to the brilliance and rich talent pool of Hong Kong literature and cover design. The display of various categories of creative works also aims to encourage extensive reading among the public.
The “eReading Corner” promotes the library’s e-book collection in an interactive manner. Readers can borrow e-books and talking books to read and listen on their own devices via several apps by using their HKPL card number and password, allowing them easy access to a large collection of e-reading materials. To tie in with the festival, a rich collection of award winning e-books has been selected, allowing readers to experience these distinguished works at their fingertips.
Part of the festival is legacy-bound to give shape to Hong Kong’s cultural history. At the exhibition, visitors can catch a rare glimpse of the Hong Kong Central Library’s collection of calligraphy, rare books, historic and literary documents, complemented with talks by scholars and experts to introduce the writing journeys of literary giants including Liu Yi-chang and Xixi, to be held on November 3.
Universities are where innovations are made, and the exhibition “Application of Technology in Libraries of Tertiary Institutions” demonstrates how technology combines with the art and science of library to preserve their vast archives and inspire self-directed learning in which InfoLit for U, an online course designed and developed by the eight universities is the major deliverable.
Talks and workshops in a variety of topics are held to meet the diverse interests of adults and children alike, while other activities are organised for families to enjoy together. There is a “Meet the Author” session with international award-winning children's author Petr Horacek who will be meeting young fans on November 2. Those enchanted by Nordic legends and fairytales can also visit the “Comet in Moominvalley” exhibition and enjoy the storytelling sessions with read-aloud experts.