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156
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
STATEMENT BY MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT, CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE
MR. JOSEPH CHAN YUEK-SUT (in Cantonese):—I wish to make a brief report on the recent visit by Members of the Libraries Select Committee to the United States and Canada from 16 to 25 October.
The purpose of the visit was to study the design and spatial arrangements of reputable overseas central libraries for the planning of the new Central Library for Hong Kong. The opportunity was also taken to study the management and operation of overseas public libraries in the provision of the following library services:
(i) library service to children and youth;
(ii) library service to the elderly;
(iii) computerisation and use of modern technology;
(iv) reference library service.
In addition to myself, the participants of the duty visit included Ms. Cecilia YEUNG, Urban Councillor, Mr. Michael MAK, Chief Librarian, Mr. Ho Chiu-fan, Senior Architect, Architectural Services Department and Mr. LAU Sze-lun, Senior Building Services Engineer, Architectural Services Department.
Over a period of 10 days, we visited the Los Angeles Central Library, the Harold Washington Library Centre of the Chicago Public Library, the Metropolitan Toronto Reference Library, the Metro Urban Affair Library, the Toronto Public Library, the Vancouver Public Library and the new Vancouver Central Library under construction. We met 26 persons who were involved in various aspects of library services. The report of this visit will be deposited in the Council Secretariat in due course.
During the visit, we not only actually observed the various services provided by overseas libraries, but also collected a lot of valuable information on the design and plans of the central libraries. Information obtained will be invaluable for the planning of library services and the Central Library for Hong Kong, in particular. In addition, the contacts established with the libraries visited will be most useful and will foster inter-library cooperation in the future.
The objectives of the duty visit were, therefore, met.
I must also stress that Urban Council's study visits are not for pleasure but for work.
CHAIRMAN (in English):—This concludes the business of today's meeting. This is the last meeting for the year 1994 and I would like to take this opportunity to wish members a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Council stands adjourned until Tuesday, 10 January 1995 at 2.30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT—3.37 p.m.
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