(20 May 2016) There are 16 public libraries in the city. Up until 2016, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) under the name Macao Central Library managed nine, while the rest were under the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) umbrella. Since 1st of January, all libraries have been under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, with the name ‘Macao Public Library’. The government funds them all.
One of the most popular is the Sir Robert Ho Tung library, named after a Hong Kong merchant. Upon his death, he left his summer house to the local government as well as HK$25,000 to be used to buy books.
Macao Central Library is located in the middle of Tap Seac Square. Built at the beginning of the 20th century, the building is one of the best examples of neo-classical architecture, together with the other buildings close to it.
The library collection holds 120,161 books, including 34,263 documents. It is very varied – it includes books about new technologies and information technology and documentation on Macao and the Portuguese presence in the East. It has 132 newspapers and 923 magazines.
Macaohub.com has the story in full.
