Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man said in a speech during the opening ceremony of “Macau Reading Festival” on Friday that the bureau plans to open a public library in Zone A – officially known as “Eastern District 2” –next year, alongside updates to services and facilities at existing libraries,aiming to further enhance readers’ user experience.
Zone A is a large land reclamation residential building development area off the northeastern coast of the Macau Peninsula.
The opening ceremony for the three-day “Macau Reading Festival” was held at the Taipa Houses, which featured an “Outdoor Library”, “Art and Cultural Book Fair”, “Sky Cinema”, “Café and Cultural and Creative Market”, and game booths.
Leong noted that her bureau has organised numerous activities across different communities in recent years, such as the “Book for Book” activity, which has facilitated the exchange of over 10,000 books to date; a “POP-UP” library, providing platforms for free book browsing; the newly introduced “Mobile Library Vehicle”, providing outreach services while stationed in communities; and the “Joyful Reading Guide for Seniors”, which visits social service institutions to introduce practical library services to the elderly, encouraging more reading and greater use of library resources.
Leong added that her bureau has also integrated technology to expand the possibilities of reading. For instance, she said, the bureau’s collections of valuable books in digital format have been promoted in recent years, allowing residents free access to precious publications on electronic platforms anytime. The latest batch of digitised rare books now available online include 279 titles.
Simultaneously, the Cultural Affairs Bureau proactively has collaborated with various entities to promote reading, including the “Student Reading Award Scheme” and the “School Reading Recognition Scheme” with the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), along with the installation of self-service pickup lockers in schools, Leong said.
Leong pointed out that in 2025, a new “Parent-Child Reading Cooperation Scheme at Nurseries” was launched with the Social Welfare Bureau (IAS), providing book delivery services to nurseries (locally also known as crèches), facilitating collective library card registration, and distributing reading packs for infants and young children.
Culture Affairs Bureau (IC) President Deland Leong Wai Man addresses Friday’s opening ceremony for the three-day “Macau Reading Festival” at the Taipa Houses.
Visitors walk around the “Macau Reading Festival” at the Taipa Houses heritage complex on Friday. – Photos: Ida Cheong
