1968 — Page 20

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

The present COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:---No, it isn't. population is about 117,000 and the final one is about 170,000 when it is completed.

DR. BELL:-The blocks are not completed?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Not completed.

DR. BELL: --Then would it be possible, Mr. Chairman, even at this stage, for some kindergarten space to be constructed?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: —I'm afraid I can't answer that. That is one of the problems that we are looking into, and I hope that it will be gone into in this paper.

MR. BERNACCHI:---Further on that, could consideration be given in new estates to erecting a limited number of the older Mark III blocks to accommodate, inter alia, such things as kindergartens?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I think I'll have to have notice of that question (laughter)—it's getting a bit far afield.

(11) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:

(a) Is the Government aware of the serious shortage of library facilities in every densely populated area of the Colony? (b) What steps have been taken by the Government to imple- ment the recommendation of the Library Select Committee to open one new library every year, commencing this year?

THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL replied as follows:

This question is in two parts. One enquires if Government is aware of the serious shortage of library services in every densely populated area of the Colony which, in the con- text of this meeting. I have interpreted as meaning the urban areas of the Colony with which this Council is concerned. The other asks what steps Government has taken to implement the recommendation of the Library Select Committee to open a new library every year com- mencing this year.

The reply to the first part of the question is as follows:- As Chairman of the Library Select Committee, you are no doubt aware that it was Government who, a few years ago, set up the Advisory Committee on Library Services and accepted its report in principle. This report made it quite clear that the service of existing libraries at that time was insufficient to meet the needs of the rapidly growing

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

23

literate population. As you also know, since then, various recommendations by this Council and your own Library Select Committee on the expansion of library services have been forwarded to Government and these have been the subject of discussion and correspondence between your Select Committee, the department and the Secretariat. It can therefore surely be said that Government is well aware of the shortage of libraries.

With regard to the second part of the question, the position is that after your committee's recommendation on the need for the expansion of the public library services had been submitted to the Secretariat, discussions which ensued with Urban Services Department staff revealed the need for more information particularly on possible means of financing this programme. At its meeting held on 19th March, 1968, your Committee was asked to clarify some points, and their views will shortly be sent to Government for consideration. The latest proposals if implemented will increase annual recurrent expenditure on public libraries from $1.9 million in 1968-69 (for the present City Hall and Cambridge Court Libraries) to an estimated $4.8 million in 1972-73. The proposals require careful appraisal in the context of public expenditure as a whole, but you may rest assured that Government will do its best to meet your Select Committee's requirements in view of the shortage of library facilities.

In the meantime planning has gone ahead to the extent that

(a) Some 12,000 square feet have been set aside in a building which is already completed in the Wah Fu Estate. Since the Housing Authority estimates that the estate will be completely occupied by the end of 1969 it is at present planned to open this branch library towards the end of this year.

(b) The main Kowloon Library will eventually be housed in new premises on the ground and mezzanine floors of the new Car Park to be constructed at Yau Ma Tei. This car park is expected to be completed by April 1969 and the library should be ready for occupation some 4 months later. A schedule of accommodation for the library is at present under preparation and on its acceptance by Government sketch plans will be drawn up.

It is planned to retain the library at Cambridge Court for use as a branch library in view of its proximity to a number of schools.

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Page 20 of 243 £43 Page 20 of 243 22 22 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL The present COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:---No, it isn't. population is about 117,000 and the final one is about 170,000 when it is completed. DR. BELL:-The blocks are not completed? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Not completed. DR. BELL: --Then would it be possible, Mr. Chairman, even at this stage, for some kindergarten space to be constructed? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: —I'm afraid I can't answer that. That is one of the problems that we are looking into, and I hope that it will be gone into in this paper. MR. BERNACCHI:---Further on that, could consideration be given in new estates to erecting a limited number of the older Mark III blocks to accommodate, inter alia, such things as kindergartens? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I think I'll have to have notice of that question (laughter)—it's getting a bit far afield. (11) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question: (a) Is the Government aware of the serious shortage of library facilities in every densely populated area of the Colony? (b) What steps have been taken by the Government to imple- ment the recommendation of the Library Select Committee to open one new library every year, commencing this year? THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL replied as follows: This question is in two parts. One enquires if Government is aware of the serious shortage of library services in every densely populated area of the Colony which, in the con- text of this meeting. I have interpreted as meaning the urban areas of the Colony with which this Council is concerned. The other asks what steps Government has taken to implement the recommendation of the Library Select Committee to open a new library every year com- mencing this year. The reply to the first part of the question is as follows:- As Chairman of the Library Select Committee, you are no doubt aware that it was Government who, a few years ago, set up the Advisory Committee on Library Services and accepted its report in principle. This report made it quite clear that the service of existing libraries at that time was insufficient to meet the needs of the rapidly growing HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 23 literate population. As you also know, since then, various recommendations by this Council and your own Library Select Committee on the expansion of library services have been forwarded to Government and these have been the subject of discussion and correspondence between your Select Committee, the department and the Secretariat. It can therefore surely be said that Government is well aware of the shortage of libraries. With regard to the second part of the question, the position is that after your committee's recommendation on the need for the expansion of the public library services had been submitted to the Secretariat, discussions which ensued with Urban Services Department staff revealed the need for more information particularly on possible means of financing this programme. At its meeting held on 19th March, 1968, your Committee was asked to clarify some points, and their views will shortly be sent to Government for consideration. The latest proposals if implemented will increase annual recurrent expenditure on public libraries from $1.9 million in 1968-69 (for the present City Hall and Cambridge Court Libraries) to an estimated $4.8 million in 1972-73. The proposals require careful appraisal in the context of public expenditure as a whole, but you may rest assured that Government will do its best to meet your Select Committee's requirements in view of the shortage of library facilities. In the meantime planning has gone ahead to the extent that (a) Some 12,000 square feet have been set aside in a building which is already completed in the Wah Fu Estate. Since the Housing Authority estimates that the estate will be completely occupied by the end of 1969 it is at present planned to open this branch library towards the end of this year. (b) The main Kowloon Library will eventually be housed in new premises on the ground and mezzanine floors of the new Car Park to be constructed at Yau Ma Tei. This car park is expected to be completed by April 1969 and the library should be ready for occupation some 4 months later. A schedule of accommodation for the library is at present under preparation and on its acceptance by Government sketch plans will be drawn up. It is planned to retain the library at Cambridge Court for use as a branch library in view of its proximity to a number of schools. Page 20Page 21 243 Page 21 of
Baseline (Original)
Page 20 of 243 £43 Page 20 of 243 22 22 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL The present COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:---No, it isn't. population is about 117,000 and the final one is about 170,000 when it is completed. DR. BELL:-The blocks are not completed? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Not completed. DR. BELL: --Then would it be possible, Mr. Chairman, even at this stage, for some kindergarten space to be constructed? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: —I'm afraid I can't answer that. That is one of the problems that we are looking into, and I hope that it will be gone into in this paper. MR. BERNACCHI:---Further on that, could consideration be given in new estates to erecting a limited number of the older Mark III blocks to accommodate, inter alia, such things as kindergartens? COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I think I'll have to have notice of that question (laughter)—it's getting a bit far afield. (11) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question: (a) Is the Government aware of the serious shortage of library facilities in every densely populated area of the Colony? (b) What steps have been taken by the Government to imple- ment the recommendation of the Library Select Committee to open one new library every year, commencing this year? THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL replied as follows: This question is in two parts. One enquires if Government is aware of the serious shortage of library services in every densely populated area of the Colony which, in the con- text of this meeting. I have interpreted as meaning the urban areas of the Colony with which this Council is concerned. The other asks what steps Government has taken to implement the recommendation of the Library Select Committee to open a new library every year com- mencing this year. The reply to the first part of the question is as follows:- As Chairman of the Library Select Committee, you are no doubt aware that it was Government who, a few years ago, set up the Advisory Committee on Library Services and accepted its report in principle. This report made it quite clear that the service of existing libraries at that time was insufficient to meet the needs of the rapidly growing HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 23 literate population. As you also know, since then, various recommendations by this Council and your own Library Select Committee on the expansion of library services have been forwarded to Government and these have been the subject of discussion and correspondence between your Select Committee, the department and the Secretariat. It can therefore surely be said that Government is well aware of the shortage of libraries. With regard to the second part of the question, the position is that after your committee's recommendation on the need for the expansion of the public library services had been submitted to the Secretariat, discussions which ensued with Urban Services Department staff revealed the need for more information particularly on possible means of financing this programme. At its meeting held on 19th March, 1968, your Committee was asked to clarify some points, and their views will shortly be sent to Government for consideration. The latest proposals if implemented will increase annual recurrent expenditure on public libraries from $1.9 million in 1968-69 (for the present City Hall and Cambridge Court Libraries) to an estimated $4.8 million in 1972-73. The proposals require careful appraisal in the context of public expenditure as a whole, but you may rest assured that Government will do its best to meet your Select Committee's requirements in view of the shortage of library facilities. In the meantime planning has gone ahead to the extent that (a) Some 12,000 square feet have been set aside in a building which is already completed in the Wah Fu Estate. Since the Housing Authority estimates that the estate will be completely occupied by the end of 1969 it is at present planned to open this branch library towards the end of this year. (b) The main Kowloon Library will eventually be housed in new premises on the ground and mezzanine floors of the new Car Park to be constructed at Yau Ma Tei. This car park is expected to be completed by April 1969 and the library should be ready for occupation some 4 months later. A schedule of accommodation for the library is at present under preparation and on its acceptance by Government sketch plans will be drawn up. It is planned to retain the library at Cambridge Court for use as a branch library in view of its proximity to a number of schools. Page 20Page 21 243 Page 21 of
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Page 20 of 243

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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

The present

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:---No, it isn't. population is about 117,000 and the final one is about 170,000 when it is completed.

DR. BELL:-The blocks are not completed?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-Not completed.

DR. BELL: --Then would it be possible, Mr. Chairman, even at this stage, for some kindergarten space to be constructed?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT: —I'm afraid I can't answer that. That is one of the problems that we are looking into, and I hope that it will be gone into in this paper.

MR. BERNACCHI:---Further on that, could consideration be given in new estates to erecting a limited number of the older Mark III blocks to accommodate, inter alia, such things as kindergartens?

COMMISSIONER FOR RESETTLEMENT:-I think I'll have to have notice of that question (laughter)—it's getting a bit far afield.

(11) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question:

(a) Is the Government aware of the serious shortage of library facilities in every densely populated area of the Colony? (b) What steps have been taken by the Government to imple- ment the recommendation of the Library Select Committee to open one new library every year, commencing this year?

THE CHAIRMAN, URBAN COUNCIL replied as follows:

This question is in two parts. One enquires if Government is aware of the serious shortage of library services in every densely populated area of the Colony which, in the con- text of this meeting. I have interpreted as meaning the urban areas of the Colony with which this Council is concerned. The other asks what steps Government has taken to implement the recommendation of the Library Select Committee to open a new library every year com- mencing this year.

The reply to the first part of the question is as follows:- As Chairman of the Library Select Committee, you are no doubt aware that it was Government who, a few years ago, set up the Advisory Committee on Library Services and accepted its report in principle. This report made it quite clear that the service of existing libraries at that time was insufficient to meet the needs of the rapidly growing

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

23

literate population. As you also know, since then, various recommendations by this Council and your own Library Select Committee on the expansion of library services have been forwarded to Government and these have been the subject of discussion and correspondence between your Select Committee, the department and the Secretariat. It can therefore surely be said that Government is well aware of the shortage of libraries.

With regard to the second part of the question, the position is that after your committee's recommendation on the need for the expansion of the public library services had been submitted to the Secretariat, discussions which ensued with Urban Services Department staff revealed the need for more information particularly on possible means of financing this programme. At its meeting held on 19th March, 1968, your Committee was asked to clarify some points, and their views will shortly be sent to Government for consideration. The latest proposals if implemented will increase annual recurrent expenditure on public libraries from $1.9 million in 1968-69 (for the present City Hall and Cambridge Court Libraries) to an estimated $4.8 million in 1972-73. The proposals require careful appraisal in the context of public expenditure as a whole, but you may rest assured that Government will do its best to meet your Select Committee's requirements in view of the shortage of library facilities.

In the meantime planning has gone ahead to the extent that

(a) Some 12,000 square feet have been set aside in a building which is already completed in the Wah Fu Estate. Since the Housing Authority estimates that the estate will be completely occupied by the end of 1969 it is at present planned to open this branch library towards the end of this year.

(b) The main Kowloon Library will eventually be housed in new premises on the ground and mezzanine floors of the new Car Park to be constructed at Yau Ma Tei. This car park is expected to be completed by April 1969 and the library should be ready for occupation some 4 months later. A schedule of accommodation for the library is at present under preparation and on its acceptance by Government sketch plans will be drawn up.

It is planned to retain the library at Cambridge Court for use as a branch library in view of its proximity to a number of schools.

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