The Macao Public Library has been taking steps to extend the spatial and temporal availability of its services, e.g. from the experimental 24-hour operation of the Red Market Library in 2016, to the opening hours extension at a number of branch libraries in 2018. After extending the opening hours, multiple branch libraries have registered an increase in both entry and loans, e.g. the Patane Library registered a year-on-year 64.87% increase in entry for December 2018, a 4.76% increase in loans, and eventually a 50% increase in year-round entry. Another branch, the Mong Há Library, also registered a year-on-year increase of nearly 1,000 in entry for December 2018.
Encouraged by these numbers, the Macao Public Library has extended the opening hours of the Senado Library, the S. Lourenço Library and the Coloane Library since March. The opening hours of the Macao Central Library, the Senado Library, the Patane Library, the Wong Ieng Kuan Library in Areia Preta Urban Park and the Taipa Library have been extended to 24:00; and the Red Market Library extended to 2:00. Every day, from 7:00 to 8:00 and after 20:00 for the Red Market Library, and after 20:00 for the rest of the abovesaid libraries, there are only security guards and cleaners on duty in the library, while librarian services are temporarily unavailable. Meanwhile, the Children’s Reading Area, the Audiovisual Material Area and the Macao Collection Room are temporarily closed, while reading services and self-service equipments are still offered. Also, to enrich people’s leisure-time activities, encourage parent-child reading and help citizens to access the resources and services of the libraries, the Reading Area, the Children’s Reading Area and the Self-service Area at the Macao Central Library, the S. Lourenço Library, the Patane Library and the Taipa Library are open to the public during public holidays.
To know more about the library opening hours, please visit the website of the Macao Public Library: http://www.library.gov.mo/en/service-guide/opening-hours
