RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
A reading programme for young readers was held to arouse their interest in reading. The programme was first launched in 1984. Since then, 70 000 young people have enrolled as members and have read a total of 1 100 000 books.
Regional Council Libraries
At present, the Regional Council operates 22 public libraries and three mobile libraries. These libraries, with a membership of 735 500, have a total stock of 1.64 million books and 91 300 items of audio-visual material.
Public libraries are particularly welcome in developing new towns. During the year, 5.7 million items of library material were issued for home lending and 11.9 million books were read in the libraries. The Sha Tin Central Library and Tuen Mun Central Library were well patronised and remained the most heavily used public libraries in Hong Kong.
A Chinese Poetry Writing Competition was also organised during the year to promote greater interest in the basic knowledge of Chinese tones. The competition was well received and attracted more than 1 000 entries.
The new Tai Po Public Library at Plover Cove Garden opened in May, replacing the old one at Mei Tak Building. The council's third mobile library also came into operation in June, extending library services to more remote venues and developing areas. The new Cheung Chau Public Library, located at the Regional Council Complex on Cheung Chau Island, commenced service in August and replaced the small library at the Cheung Chau Rural Committee Building. Plans are in hand to move the Peng Chau Public Library to a Regional Council Complex on the Island and to open the council's third central library – the Tsuen Wan Central Library – in 1992–3.
The council joined in efforts to protect the environment by launching a paper recycling scheme whereby unserviceable library materials were collected periodically from the libraries by a commercial contractor for paper recycling.
Books Registration Office
Hong Kong's printing industry has continued to grow steadily in recent years, and an increasing quantity of books and other printed publications are being exported to many parts of the world. The Books Registration Ordinance (Chapter 142) requires publishers to submit copies of each book printed or published in Hong Kong for registration. These books are despatched to depository libraries for permanent preservation after processing. The scheme is administered by the Books Registration Office. A quarterly list of registered books is gazetted to provide bibliographic information on all books published or printed in the territory. The office is the local agent for the International Standard Book Numbering System (ISBN) and helps to promote its use by libraries and publishers.
During 1991, the office registered a total of 7 250 books and 9 050 periodicals. In all, 940 publishers' identifiers conforming to ISBN were issued at the request of publishers.
Sports and Recreation
Sports and recreation activities and facilities are many and varied in Hong Kong. The Urban and Regional Councils, in addition to developing and managing facilities such as sports grounds, playgrounds, indoor games halls, holiday camps, swimming pools and beaches, organise training courses and sporting competitions for people of all ages and abilities. The councils also encourage passive recreation by providing parks and landscaping services within their respective areas.
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