XN000022-1996-10-16 — Page 35

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In considering whether to open certain types of facilities to working people pursuing part-time studies, or other members of the public in general, the tertiary institutions take into account the purpose of the use, the nature of the activity and the status of the person or organisation applying for use. Priority is given to academic and bona fide research activities. The intended use must also not have an adverse effect on the normal teaching, learning and research activities of the staff and students in the institutions.

Libraries and Research Databanks

For facilities such as libraries and research databanks, well-established arrangements already exist whereby certain members of the public, not only working people pursuing part-time studies, may be allowed to make use of such facilities of the tertiary institutions. These include, among others, members of Government and public bodies, quasi-government bodies and non-profit making organisations.

Students and staff of any UGC-funded institution, subject to certain rules, may make use of the library facilities of another UGC-funded institution. Graduates, alumni and in some cases, members of the public who satisfy certain requirements set by the tertiary institutions may apply for library cards, borrowers' cards, readers' tickets or other types of registration documents to make use of the facilities. Fees may be charged for such use. Registered users of public libraries run by the Government can have access to library materials in the UGC-funded institutions and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts through the existing inter-library loan service by channelling their requests through their own libraries.

The opening hours of the libraries in the tertiary institutions vary, but generally they are open between 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, and between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Some libraries are also open on Sunday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. For certain reference materials, it may be possible to access on-line through computer and telecommunications systems round the clock from remote locations.

Study Rooms

Given their limited capacity, study rooms in the tertiary institutions are generally not open to the public.

Other Facilities

(a) Laboratories

Some tertiary institutions allow the use of laboratories by working people pursuing part-time studies, provided that they can prove they have a genuine need to use the laboratories for testing and other academic purposes. Priority of use will, of course, be given to students on full-time courses. Generally, only applications by organisations or groups of students would be entertained. Fees may be charged.