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centralized collection of research materials and adequate seats to cope with the developments of society and the needs of our citizens. If financial resources permit, we should revise the policy of providing 0.15 reference book for each person and allot more funds for acquiring reference materials.
(3) Arts Library
The first large scale arts library in Hong Kong will officially open for public use on 13 January this year. Situated on the platform of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre overlooking the Victoria Harbour, the 1500 square-metre library provides a quiet surroundings for its users. Inside, a huge stock of over 40,000 books, 150 newly issued periodicals on arts and 8,150 audio-visual materials is available. Readers can glance through the book title index rapidly with the aid of a computer-readable compact disc data base. Also in stock are microfilms, slides, bulletins and posters of the performing arts. 50% of these reading materials are put on open-shelves while other less common and valuable ones are classified as closed-shelf materials. I am certain that this arts library will provide a useful source of information for arts lovers and play an important role in promoting arts and culture in Hong Kong.
(4) The central library on Hong Kong Island
The plan of developing the High Block of the City Hall into the central library of Hong Kong Island has been shelved because of the central government's sluggishness in confirming the redevelopment plan of the waterfront area of the Central District. At present, there is only one central library in Ho Man Tin, Kowloon to undertake the onerous task of offering support and materials to district libraries of both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The establishment of a central library on Hong Kong Island brooks no delay. We should therefore urge the central government to confirm the new city plan of the waterfront area of the Central District as soon as possible, or allocate another suitable site for us to build a central library on Hong Kong Island. Otherwise, let us just develop the City Hall Library into the central library as we are really running out of patience.
(5) Loss of library staff
The confidence problem brings about a 20% loss of library staff which, in the long term, will affect the basic services and development of libraries to a certain extent, so we should do all we can to make them stay. I suggest that Britain should give due consideration to the staff of the librarian rank in its right of abode program. Library management is a professional career with working days and office hours different from average jobs. Library staff have to work even on weekends and Sundays in order to meet the needs of the working class. So we should boost their morale and make them stay by means of granting increments, special leave or awards. In the face of the gradual brain-drain, it is hoped that local post-secondary colleges would do their mite to fill the gap by offering certificate- and degree-awarding programmes in Library Science within the shortest period of time.
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them stay by means of granting increments, special leave or awards. In the face of the gradual brain-drain, it is hoped that local post-secondary colleges would do their mite to fill the gap by offering certificate- and degree-awarding programmes in Library Science within the shortest period of time.
II. Abolition of higher charges for hiring tennis courts during peak hours
Since April 1988, the Council has adopted the policy of charging a higher fee for hiring tennis courts during peak hours with the aims of encouraging people to make more use of the tennis courts during non-peak hours and achieving cost-effectiveness. My strong opposition to such policy was of no avail. Now, facts have it that not only is this way of making a raise in hire charges unacceptable to the public, but it also fails to reach the objectives the Council anticipated. I remember that I was publicly criticized as narrow-minded and captious, but now it is proved that this is an ineffective measure. What we should do now is to overcome our prejudice, abolish the measure of charging higher fees during peak hours and replace it with another one which can really bring about cost-effectiveness.
III. Formulation of a multi-charge system
At present, admission charges of our cultural and recreational venues are divided into 3 main categories for 3 age groups: age under 14 (children); over 14 (adults); and 60 or above (elderly). Since the acknowledged majority is 21, it is illogical to regard teenagers over 14 as adults. To encourage people from different age groups to participate in the cultural and recreational activities organized by the Council, it is more reasonable to formulate a multi-charge system for people of a large number of different age groups.
IV. How to tackle the deficit in the new financial year
In the current financial year, the Council is going to have a deficit of $83 million. The budget deficit for the next financial year will amount to $449 million. How to tackle the deficit in the new financial year? How to make both ends meet? How to increase income and reduce expenditure and to get out of the red? I think that we have to solve this problem within the new financial year. Otherwise, the progress of our Capital Works Programme and the expansion and standard of our services will definitely be seriously affected.
(A) Retrenchment
1.
2.
We have to strictly adhere to the principle of 'value for money' and to ensure that maximum value is derived from minimum expenditure.
To review the establishment of the Urban Services Department so as to determine whether the posts are necessary or super-fluous. All redundant posts must be cut.