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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
photographers. Furthermore, there are no press releases for some activities afterwards. So, what is the present arrangement with regard to press release and how is it done?
Is it because of manpower constraints or any other reasons that we are faced with the present unsatisfactory situation? In the City News for example, in October there was some incorrect information relating to Councillors' meet-the-public scheme, and in November and December, there was no information on the Councillors' activities in ward offices. Is this because of manpower shortage or deterioration of service standard? As regards the Members' Duty Roster System, I have never seen it publicised in the City News at all. Could there be some improvement to this area? Are these the responsibilities of the PIU or that of other sections in the Department? I want to know what improvements can be made?
MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English):—I think Mr. CHAN has asked a very long series of questions. First of all, I think basically, within the resource limit of the PIU, staff there normally carry out as much publicity work as they can. I am sure, as I have said in my last answer to Mr. CHAN, that the Public Relations Sub-Committee should look into how we are going to strengthen the areas that Mr. CHAN has pointed out. As regards the Members' Duty Roster System, a lot of matters dealt with are not normally to be publicized and sometimes the public complaints have not been answered and so perhaps, some of the items have not been reported. I think we should find out exactly which items of the Members' Duty Roster System Mr. CHAN is concerned about. I am sure that after the meeting, we would be very delighted if Mr. CHAN could inform us or the Public Relations Sub-Committee as to exactly what items we can help him to solve.
As to the normal reporting, I think I remember that the PIU often send a press release through the normal manner, unless it is very urgent. They have the normal channels to go through. So, in general, other than depending on the availability of resources, my understanding is that they are trying very hard to cope with the tremendous activities that are now being undertaken by the Council.
I hope that this answers partly some of your questions.
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I think Mr. YOUNG may have misunderstood my question. I said that in the City News, there was no information provided on Councillors' Ward Offices in the November and December issues, and in October, the information contained was incorrect. So, what was the reason for that?
MR. PAUL YOUNG TZE-KONG (in English):-It is right for Mr. CHAN to pick up this problem here and I am sure that the department can answer Mr. CHAN
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separately on this specific issue. For the present moment, I don't have the answer immediately in hand and I am sure that after the meeting, the department will answer Mr. CHAN's query.
2. THE HONOURABLE MAN SAI-CHEONG asked the following question (in Cantonese): Besides improving the language proficiency of children, children's literature also helps to develop the creativity and sensitivity of our future leaders. Since public libraries can play an active role in achieving the above objective, I would like to know:
(a) What progress has been made in the collection of the children's libraries of the Council? Are there any plans to raise the professional standards in this area of work? How are the plans carried out?
(b) Is the current children's literature collection children aged 4 to 12 comprehensive enough in Hong Kong? Is there any plan for a systematic development of a special collection of children's literature?
(c) In promoting children's literature, for example, through encouraging creative writing of children's literature, publishing children's literature and organising competitions for children's essay writings, what were the Council's policies in the past and what are the results?
(d) In the planning of the Urban Council Central Library, how will the Council sustain its efforts in promoting children's literature and enhancing its importance?
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT, CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in Cantonese):-This question concerns children's literature collection and is in four parts.
Concerning the progress on the building up of the children's collection, as at November 1994, Council's libraries have a total of 716,073 items of children's library materials which is about 24% of the total library stock. They include mainly books and audio-visual materials in English and Chinese. At present, the libraries acquire about 70,000 items of children's materials per year. Starting from 1995/1996, the annual intake of children's materials will be increased to 100,000 items to further strengthen the collection and to build up the stock for the Children Library at the Hong Kong Central Library scheduled for completion in late 1997.
It is Council's existing policy to maintain and upkeep the professional standards of the library collection. We do provide regular training in the form of workshops, in-service and attachment training for the Librarian grade staff to upkeep their professional knowledge and keep them abreast of the development in the publishing field.
Regarding the collection of literary works for children between 4 and 12 years old, Council has the largest and the most comprehensive collection in Hong Kong. There are 361,000 items of books, audio cassettes and video cassettes.
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