Library Projects and Basic Law: The Experience of Lam Tin Methodist Primary School Library

Abstract

The Basic Law of Hong Kong came into effect on July 1, 1997 when sovereignty over Hong Kong was transferred from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China. Under the principles of “One Country, Two Systems” and “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong”, Hong Kong would continue its capitalist system and way of life for 50 years after 1997 in order to realize the peaceful reunification of the country.

Under the effects of digital transformation era, school libraries have shifted the geographical coverage of library advocacy from physical to virtual and from local to national perspectives. The purpose of this paper is to outline the initiative of Lam Tin Methodist Primary School in the promotion of the Basic Law. It will describe how library historical and genealogical collections, online resources, E-resources, videos, Google Sites and library on-site workshops articulate a series of library cross-curricular programs which inform students and teachers the history of the handover and the close relationship between Hong Kong and China from the stories of heritage sights and monuments through project learning. The message from these innovative programs fosters a sense of belonging and national identity in addition to strengthening Hong Kong’s own unique cultural legacy. One of the cross-curricular programs, “Treasure Hunt in Hong Kong”, won the Outstanding Project Award from the Hong Kong Education Department’s School-based Curriculum Project Scheme.