Recreation, Sport and the Arts 413
Shenzhen Library, and Macao Central Library which enables readers to make enquiries directly to all three. A wide range of electronic resources, including online database, electronic books, web-resource guide and topical resources guides are posted on the library website for ready reference by users.
Information Technology Initiatives and Digital Library Initiatives
The Library Automation System of the public libraries is one of the world's largest computerised library systems with both Chinese and English capabilities. It provides 24-hour Internet library services for online catalogue searching and reservation and renewal of library materials. In 2005, 16.68 million items of library material were renewed through the Internet and Telephone Renewal Services. With the growing popularity of online public library services, the Hong Kong Public Libraries Homepage (www.hkpl.gov.hk) was ranked among the most popular websites in Hong Kong.
In 2005, the Hong Kong Public Libraries completed a major revamp on its homepage. The new-look homepage has a clear navigation flow and many reference information and online library services for Internet users. It contains up-to-date and useful information on library facilities and services and gives library users easier access to the most frequently used library services such as a library catalogue search, renewal and reservation of library materials, borrower record enquiry and online electronic resources.
Hong Kong Public Libraries continued to expand the application of information technology to provide more convenient and efficient services to the public. Following the launch of the new smart ID cards in 2003, residents of Hong Kong were allowed the option of using their smart ID cards as library cards to borrow, renew and reserve library materials. In 2005, the number of readers opting to use their smart ID cards continued to rise and by the end of the year, 178 computer terminals with Internet access had been installed with e-Cert compatible smart card readers for public use to promote wider use of information technology and electronic services.
Increasingly more patrons also opted for the new e-mail notification service. A pilot scheme to set up Internet Express Terminals in eight libraries was successfully implemented in 2005 and, to further promote self-service by end-users, an additional 58 self-charging terminals were also installed in branch libraries.
The Multimedia Information System (MMIS) developed for Hong Kong Central Library opened up new realms for information retrieval by offering the public instant access to a wide variety of digital documents as well as audio and video programmes on demand. Equipped with powerful and sophisticated search facilities, the system. provides a one-stop search facility enabling users of all ages to explore the multimedia archives via the Internet at home or through some 600 workstations in the Central Library and the 26 branch libraries. Since its launch in 2001, the MMIS has been honoured with a number of awards both locally and internationally. In the Civil Service Outstanding Service Award Scheme 2005, the system won the Merit Award in the Innovation and Application of Technology category.