FEATURE: LIBRARY USER'S GUIDE

Libraries of a new era are no longer spaces of isolated islands only for borrowing, reading and storing books. With the rapid development of digital technology, Internet Plus and mobile communication networks, the position of libraries, as well as their relationship with individual readers, publishing houses and communities have undergone world-shattering changes. Technology not only makes changes to our lives, but also to the features of libraries.

In the libraries of Macao, there are different kinds of "hidden skills" you may not be familiar with at the moment. If you think that libraries always remain unchanged, it proves that you have not yet made flexible use of them! As a book lover, of course you do not want to fall behind. Hurry up and join the specially appointed library SPY unit of "Books and the City" in autumn, to explore the various unknowns about the libraries. After reading this special feature, you may also become a library docent!

Poet Jorge Luis Borges was almost blind when he was appointed as director of the National Library of the Argentine Republic, yet his love for libraries had never diminished. Through his "Poem of the Gifts", Borges seemed to allow readers to see the most ideal library: "I have always imagined that paradise will be a kind of library. I, in a confused manner, explore the hollow gloom slowly with my hesitant stick."

There are a thousand Hamlets in a thousand people's eyes. Everybody has a different perception of an ideal library. Before tapping into our imagination, we might as well begin with the libraries around us – the different public libraries of Macao, thereby starting from reality before letting our imagination run wild. Let's not wait any longer. Please follow Sio Tou and Sio Su's family and put words into action in October, take a field trip to learn more about the different aspects of the libraries of Macao, and spend a day to personally experience the libraries!

 Part 01 　Book Sterilizer

Through UV-C light, the self-service book sterilizer eliminates unwanted microorganisms from the books, such as influenza A (H1N1) virus / bacteria, germs, Escherichia coli, mould, dust and booklice, making citizens feel more relieved when bringing the books home.

Step-by-step Instructions

(1) Open the door;

(2) Put the books inside (a maximum of 3 books can be put inside each time);

(3) Close the door and press the START button. Wait for 30 seconds and the sterilization process is completed.

* Suitable for: Children in particular.

 Part 02 　Desktop Electronic Magnifier

This equipment can magnify fonts up to 100 times for readers in need. It is user-friendly and offers full colour, grayscale, and highcontrast black on white or white on black display modes. The monitor can be freely adjusted to the most comfortable viewing position, and there is an adjustable desktop for the convenience of reading and writing.

Step-by-step Instructions

(1) Press the rightmost On/Off button to switch on the screen;

(2) Place the newspaper or magazine on the zoom-in area below. Move the content to be zoomed in to a suitable angle, and adjust the size via the round knob in the middle;

(3) If necessary, use the leftmost button to adjust chromatic contrast.

* Suitable for: The elderly and those who need to read magnified characters.

 Part 03 　Blu-ray Player

Blu-ray players are available in the multimedia rooms of some of the library branches for readers to play checked-out audiovisual materials in Blu-ray format. Headphones are also provided.

Step-by-step Instructions

(1) Select your audiovisual material and insert the disc;

(2) Put on the headphones and play the disc with the television.

* Suitable for: Those who want to enjoy audiovisual materials or conduct research in a quiet corner.

 Part 04 　Book Scanner

You can use the book scanner to scan library materials for reading at home, but remember to bring your own USB drive for storage purpose.

Step-by-step Instructions

(1) Secure the book at the bottom;

(2) Operate the machine according to the instructions on the right screen and begin scanning;

(3) The above scanner light moves across the book pages, and the right screen shows the scan result. You can save it to a USB drive if the quality of the scanned file fits your request.

* Suitable for: Those who want to extract or bring information home for research.

 Part 05 　24-Hour Book Drop

To make it more convenient for readers to return books across libraries at any time, 24-hour book drops are installed in some of the libraries. Make flexible use of them and returning books is no longer a burden.

Step-by-step Instructions

(1) Select the language;

(2) Place the library material(s) to be returned onto the conveyor belt, place one book at a time;

(3) Print the receipt upon completion of book return procedures.

*Suitable for: Everyone.

 Part 06 　Breastfeeding Room

Breastfeeding rooms are installed in some of the library branches to encourage breastfeeding and cater to mothers who need to take care of their babies. Sinks, sofas, baby changing stations and refrigerators are generally equipped.

* Suitable for: Mothers who need to breastfeed.

* Important note: Please bring your own breast pump and feeding bottle, please knock before entering.

* Remark: If there are any doubts regarding the operation of the above facilities, feel free to ask our library staff for help.

Q: How to make reservations for library materials?

A: Readers can log in the library website, call the library or visit the library in person to hold on-shelf and checked-out library items of different public libraries and the Central Book Stack, readers can select a designated library to pick up the held items as well. When the held item is transferred to the designated library, readers will receive an SMS notifying them to conduct the checkout procedures at the designated library counter within the stated deadline. (Note: Only readers who have applied for the reader cards of the Macao Public Library are eligible tomake reservations.)

Q: Is there any inter-library return service? What are the procedures for a renewal?

A: All public libraries of Macao are providing inter-library return service. Readers can return books and audiovisual materials at the various libraries under the Macao Public Library (except for the IACM Building Library). All library items can be renewed once prior to the due date with an extension of 15 days counting from the date of renewal. It is advised that online renewal be made at least 2 days before the due date to allow time for renewal in the library or return of items in case the renewal is unsuccessful. For more services, please refer to: http://www.library.gov.mo/en/service-guide/reader-guide/loan-service .

To further understand the facilities and services of the Macao Public Library, we have interviewed 2 library staff and 2 readers respectively, and asked them 4 questions to see what their ideal library is.

Questions:

1. What is your favourite activity of the Macao Public Library?

2. What is your favourite library equipment or function? Why?

3. If you were to plan a library activity related to autumn, what would you suggest?

4. Do you have any suggestions for the facilities and services of the Macao Public Library?

Maggie

Reader Service Staff at Sir Robert Ho Tung Library

Years of service with the library: 2

1. "Preference Book Station" is my favourite activity. Participating readers can freely recommend their favourite books to the libraries, and share their reflections to meet friends and share resources. Moreover, the "bookcrossing" activity is extremely popular with local readers, which is not only environment friendly, but also achieves the goal of encouraging reading.

2. Should be the ebooks. With our newly introduced Hyread ebook facility, readers can borrow ebooks at home by simply downloading the APP.

3. Maybe an outdoor exclusive autumn version of the "Preference Book Station"! An invigorating autumn is really suitable for organising a reading club filled with country atmosphere.

4. More mobile applications can be introduced to facilitate library work, such as APP for borrowing and returning books or online book recommendations.

Calvin and Lam

Freelancers, entrepreneurs in the tourism industry

Frequency of library use: Almost every day.

1. Though we often use the libraries, we seldom join the library activities. The most impressive one is the black and white film screening held in Patane Library. We personally like this film-related theme and that allows us to see rather rare classical films. It is really great to meet friends through films. We suggest that the libraries should promote their upcoming events in different places, such as making small posters and put them on the tables or pasting posters at bus stations.

2. The library facilities are quite good. We often go to the Central Library and the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library since these two libraries are quiet enough, and we can get down to work.

3. They can consider organizing some celebrity reading clubs, such as inviting authors to do autograph session, and share their tips on reading, which will be more attractive.

4. For freelancers like us, who temporarily use the libraries as the base of a start-up business, it would be great if the libraries can offer free meeting rooms. It is also fine for us to pay. In addition, individual desks can be set up in the empty corners for young entrepreneurs, and they do not necessarily have to be free of charge. We are willing to pay affordable prices. Besides, the chairs here are rather low. It would be appreciated if height-adjustable chairs are provided.

Sio Ieng

Reader Service Staff at Patane Library

Years of service with the library: 4

1. I like the parent-child activities held by the library, such as Storytelling in Chinese and English, in which a foreign couple uses Cantonese and English as the main languages to share the fun of reading picture books with the audience, through lively ways such as music and puppetry. This activity has always been very popular and applicants are selected by drawing lots. Parents are also very supportive and actively participate in it.

2. I think the book sterilizer is very interesting. Once, a group of people from Hong Kong came to visit and I was their guide. They thought this machine is easy to operate and very useful. It is really wonderful and they had not seen it in most of the libraries in Hong Kong.

3. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the traditional "guessing lantern riddles" activity can be incorporated, such as the book guessing activity that encourages readers to find out the book and read it.

4. Now the photocopying service can be paid with the Macau Pass, but if more online payment functions are introduced, readers no longer need to bring cash with them, it would be really convenient.