AUTHOR: Yvonne Yu ／ PHOTOGRAPHER: Panda Lei ／ ILLUSTRATOR: Alvin Ho
EVERYDAY READING IN COMMUNITY
INTERVIEW WITH YUKI LO SIO WAI, FUNCTIONAL HEAD OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE MACAO NORTHERN DISTRICT
Located at Areia Preta, Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Areia Preta Urban Park is a featured library among the five public libraries in the Northern District* : it is mini, multi-functional and the location is convenient. Yuki Lo Sio Wai, dressed in a simple and plain style, welcomed us smilingly. She is the Functional Head of Public Libraries in the Northern District. Since the merger between the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and the Cultural Affairs Bureau last year, Yuki has transferred from Department of Cultural Activities and Recreation of the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau to her current role. She believes that the merger has benefited residents as the libraries previously under the two authorities are now administered under the one bureau: it has provided convenience and succeeded in encouraging reading as the new system allows readers to enter all the libraries with one library card.
Yuki has typed long standard answers for our outline questions, showing that this considerate and amiable lady is suited to her supervisory role that requires both the patience to communicate and a reasoning mind to oversee reader services. "I am fond of visiting libraries from all over the world and learn from their experience. For example, the library in Beitou is marvellous, wood is employed as the primary construction material, its book selection is sensible too." Yuki specialised in biological science at university in Taiwan, nevertheless she is passionate about library management.
Ilha Verde Library has the largest collection and highest usage rate among all public libraries in the Northern District. The neighborhood has a higher proportion of seniors, who are the major users of the library. "Apart from the 'Adult's Library', we have the 'Children's Library'," said Yuki as she pointed at the Children's Library nearby. "Family reading shouldn't be overlooked. Staff members here don't read with readers because we hope that every parent accompanies their own kids. As a mother, I read stories with my child each night."
Who is the most interesting reader that you have met since you were engaged with this job?
"I can never forget a Brazilian couple who have become friends with the librarians at S. Lourenço Library. The couple chat casually with our staff members whenever they visit the library." It is true that such human touch is the most wonderful thing of a community library. Here is a homely atmosphere for reading, to prepare this ambience for residents in the neighbourhood is the core task of Yuki's work.
*Note: The five public libraries in the Northern District include Ilha Verde Library, Mong Há Library, Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Municipal Park, Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Areia Preta Urban Park and Wong Ieng Kuan Children's Library in Areia Preta Urban Park.
LIBRARY WONDER WHY
Q: What is book reservation service?
A: Readers can make reservations for checkout and on-shelf library items of all libraries (except IACM Building Library) under the Macao Public Library network via the library website, telephone or visit the library in person, readers can also select a designated library (except IACM Building Library and Central Book Stack) to pick up the reserved item. When the reserved item is sent to the designated pickup library, readers will receive an SMS notifying them to make checkout procedures at the designated library within the stated deadline. For details, please refer to www.library.gov.mo/zh-hant/service-guide/reader-guide/loan-service.
Q：How many library items can each reader reserve? After the reservation is made, is there a deadline for the readers to pick up the library items?
A: Each reader may reserve a maximum of 6 library items. A reserved item can be held for three days, calculated from the following date the reserved item is sent to designated library. The library will send an SMS or make a telephone call to inform the reader to pick up the requested item at the designated library. If the hold period meets up with MSAR public holiday, the hold period will be extended accordingly.
