CONFIDENTIAL
NXK 5/2
Enclosure (2)
Library for the Hong Kong Polytechnic
The Hong Kong Polytechnic was formally instituted on 1st August 1972 after three years of preparation by a Polytechnic Planning Committee to meet the growing demand for personnel trained in modern techniques and technology. The aim is to provide by not later than 1978 places for 8,000 full time equivalent and 20,000 part time students using the existing Hong Kong Technical College as the base.
2.
It is considered that one of the most appropriate and prestigious gifts that H.M.G. could make to Hong Kong would be a contribution to the cost of providing a library for this Polytechnic. At present the Polytechnic has a small library which is part of the former Technical College which was absorbed into the new institution. This library has only 18,000 volumes, many of which are out of date, and a much bigger and better equipped library is required as a matter of urgency if the Polytechnic is to expand as planned.
3.
In planning a library for the Hong Kong Polytechnic it has to be borne in mind that Hong Kong has limited library facilities and no easily accessible libraries such as the London Library, the National Central Library, the network of Local Authority Libraries or the National Lending Library for Science and Technology. The National Lending Library is in fact used occasionally from Hong Kong, but its use entails a delay of at least seven to ten days.
The two largest libraries in Hong Kong are the University Libraries. The Chinese University of Hong Kong has just over 400,000 bound volumes. It has a Science Faculty which includes a small, but expanding, electronics department but no engineering or technology departments.
4.
5.
The older Hong Kong University has about 400,000 volumes of books and periodicals including approximately 40,000 technical and engineering volumes for a student population of 3900, with over 800 reading places. The Hong Kong University has three engineering department and an architecture department as well as a Science Faculty and it also spends a good deal more annually on periodicals than C.U.H.K.; roughly $450,000 as against $100,000.
6.
On the basis of 8,000 full time equivalent students and 20,000 part time students by 1978, it is considered that the proposed library should provide reading spaces for a minimum of 20% of the full time students, i.e. 1600 reading spaces. This figure is low in comparison to the provision of, on average, 30% of student numbers which, it is understood, now prevails in U.K. Polytechnics. Furthermore, with the scarcity of reading facilities in Hong Kong and the paucity of many students' home facilities the figure of 20% is an absolute minimum.
CONFIDENTIAL
/ 7.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.