RECREATION AND THE ARTS
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from the Urban Council. This was followed by a Chinese edition of the Sham Wan monograph - the first major report on an archaeological site in Hong Kong to appear in the Chinese language.
Acquisitions during the year included part of the Shut Hing Study Hall built at Ping Shan, Yuen Long, in 1874; a model of the famous Chinese junk, Keying, which sailed to the United States and England in the 19th century; and a fine specimen of a gayageum, a Korean zither.
The Antiquities and Monuments Section continued with its systematic search, survey and documentation of antiquities. Plans are being prepared for the preservation and display of Hong Kong's ancient rock carvings and selected historic buildings.
Following the completion of conservation work and renovation of the Han Tomb and the Lei Cheng Uk Branch Museum, the branch museum reopened in October. In addition to the main hall, where facilities are provided for temporary exhibitions, a display room for the tomb finds has been constructed through the conversion of former staff quarters. Attendance in the last nine weeks of 1978 was 30,100, with a daily average of 547.
Libraries
More libraries were established or were in the planning stage in 1978. The Urban Council established a district library in Mei Foo Sun Chuen and new libraries will open early in 1979 at Wan Chai and Chai Wan. The Urban Services Department is to open libraries at Kwai Chung South and Yuen Long in the New Territories. A video cassette library began in the Yau Ma Tei Library and a postal book service for disabled people will start next year.
During the year, a total of 176,406 new books were acquired, bringing the stock to 937,987. In addition, the libraries have a stock of 3,295 reels of microfilm; 93 video cassettes and 10,632 gramophone records and cassette tapes; and subscribe to 980 English and Chinese newspapers and periodicals. A total of 3,561 new publications were registered under the Book Registration Ordinance.
Some 81,581 people registered as new members in 1978, bringing the total mem- bership to 784,760. The lending libraries issued 4,133,113 books, while a further 3,831,494 books were read in the libraries and 379,948 books consulted in the reference libraries. About 159,500 people attended or took part in extension activities such as book exhibitions, story hours, film shows, school visits, literary competitions and talks.
Plans are in hand to increase substantially audio-visual library services and facilities, and to use automation for book circulation and book processing.
The British Council
Valuable contributions to the educational and cultural activities of Hong Kong were made by the British Council during 1978. Assistance was given to government depart- ments and to Hong Kong's two universities to enable staff members to visit British universities and other institutions, and to attend specialist courses. The council also continued to arrange for specialists from Britain to visit Hong Kong for consultation with government departments, the universities and local experts in their fields.