RECREATION, SPORTS AND THE ARTS
The project to computerise the council's library services proceeded ahead of schedule. The first computerised library, at South Kwai Chung, came into operation in February, and computerisation of all other council libraries was advanced to November 1993. The smooth implementation of the project enabled the public to enjoy a better library service four months ahead of the original completion date.
The mainframe computer in the Regional Council Building was installed in October 1992. Installation of the network of communication equipment and terminals in the 25 branch libraries began in December 1992 and took only 11 months to complete. Some 300 terminals at the council's libraries are now connected to the system.
Conversion of the 360 000 library catalogue cards to the computer bibliographic database was made in January 1993. In the following months, the council's staff labelled two million library items with bar codes, and linked them to their respective records in the computer bibliographic database.
The exercise to re-register readers for the issue of new computerised borrower's cards commenced in September 1992 and, at the end of 1993, over 365 000 readers carried the new cards.
The introduction of the computerised system greatly improved the efficiency and quality of library services. Other benefits, such as enhanced management information, were also passed on the public through better library planning and a more cost-effective service.
To promote greater use of the library services, extension activities such as book exhibitions, subject talks, and interest groups were organised regularly for different age groups. These activities formed an integral part of the public library services and during the year, some 2.29 million people participated.
A highly popular and ongoing computer literacy project was organised at the central libraries at Sha Tin and Tuen Mun and at the North Kwai Chung Public Library. In all, 2 669 people attended the computer lectures and interest clubs.
Since 1991, the council has organised an annual Shih or T'zu poetry-writing competition to promote interest in the basic use of Chinese tones. The 1993 poetry writing competition featuring Shih composition attracted wide public interest and received more than 900 entries.
Educational kits in the form of discovery boxes were provided in the council's central and district libraries. They were enjoyed by children in the story hours and interest clubs and became a regular form of library extension activity.
In collaboration with the Education Department, study rooms were provided in Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin and Tuen Mun central libraries and in district libraries at South Kwai Chung, North Kwai Chung, Yuen Long, Sai Kung, Cheung Chau and Tai Po, providing a total of 1 218 seats. To cater to the needs of students, these study rooms are open from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm every day from mid-March to the end of June each year. Study rooms will also be provided in central and district libraries under planning.
Books Registration Office
Hong Kong is one of the four largest printing centres in the world and is renowned for the quality of its products and low prices. The Books Registration Office enforces the Books Registration Ordinance and supervises the collection of publications from publishers and printers. Under the ordinance, all books first published, produced or printed locally are preserved permanently in depository libraries after registration with the office. During
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