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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As to compensation for damage to books found on return, Library By-Laws, Section 26(1) and (2), provide that readers returning books are liable for any damage found. This By-Law is prominently displayed at all library counters.
As to complaints on the manner of staff, the Senior Librarian has asked the complainants for more detailed information so that a full investigation may be made. I wish to assure Members that every effort is being made to maintain a high standard of service at all Urban Council Public Libraries. Members may be interested to know that to this end the Select Committee's attention has been drawn to discrepancies in salaries between Library Clerk and the General Clerical Grade and I understand that the matter has been taken up by the Department, and I would like to add that I was informed only yesterday that Government proposals to this end will be put before the Library Staff within the next two weeks.
MR. TSIN (In Cantonese): -I wish to thank the Chairman and Mrs. ELLIOTT for paying close attention to this matter and also for dealing with this matter so expediently, but I want to ask whether in future the Select Committee will pay close attention to the effect of the pay on library staff, whether the pay has anything to do with their morale?
CHAIRMAN (In English):-First, it is not strictly in accordance with the Standing Orders because it does not relate to the original question. Nevertheless, as Mrs. ELLIOTT has already made a statement in that regard, the Chair will, in the public interest, give the floor to Mrs. ELLIOTT to answer it.
MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):-Mr. Chairman, I would like to assure Mr. TSIN that I am keeping a very close watch on this and I am in constant contact to find out the reactions of the staff. I am very much aware of this problem and will keep it under constant review.
MR. MACKENZIE (In English):-Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact that the seating capacity is inadequate during the periods of examination, is it possible to provide additional facilities either in the libraries or in some other part of that district?
MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):-Mr. Chairman, until April of this year, we have been bound by the Government not to open any other study rooms because we were told it was a pilot scheme in Yau Ma Tei, and we had to wait for the Government to try out their education scheme. Now we are on our own with finance, I can assure Mr. MACKENZIE that we are pushing ahead and I hope at the next meeting of the Libraries Select Committee we shall make suggestions as to where we can try to get study rooms so that more students may be accommodated, not only in study rooms but in more libraries which will include study rooms.
CHAIRMAN (In English):-Thank you. Perhaps I might add that it is the intention of the Select Committee to recommend one study room per district eventually.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
51
REPORT BY CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND ABATTOIRS SELECT COMMITTEE ON A CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE SELECT COMMITTEE
MR. R. H. LOBO (In English):—Mr. Chairman, in accordance with the proviso to the resolution carried by this Council on 10th April which appointed Members to Select Committees, I wish to announce that Mr. ALEX S. C. Wu has, regrettably, had to resign from the Markets and Abattoirs Select Committee. Unfortunately, with the number of select committees which have now been established, it has proved impossible to select a day for the regular meetings of the Select Committee which is suitable to Mr. Wu who, of course, has many other commitments.
REPORT BY CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION SELECT COMMITTEE ON A CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE SELECT COMMITTEE
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (In English):-Mr. Chairman, I likewise have to report a change of membership in the Administration Select Committee. I regret to advise that Mr. FORSGATE has, due to his many other pressures, had to resign from the Select Committee. He will be a tremendous loss to the Select Committee, but all of us are aware of his many other commitments.
STATEMENTS
(1) MR. KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT COMMITTEE (In English):-Mr. Chairman, as Chairman of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, I wish to make
Page 59 of 212
Page 59 of 212
50
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
As to compensation for damage to books found on return, Library By-Laws, Section 26(1) and (2), provide that readers returning books are liable for any damage found. This By-Law is prominently displayed at all library
counters.
a
As to complaints on the manner of staff, the Senior Librarian has asked the complainants for more detailed information so that a full investigation may be made. I wish to assure Members that every effort is being made to maintain. high standard of service at all Urban Council Public Libraries. Members may be interested to know that to this end the Select Committee's attention has been drawn to discrepancies in salaries between Library Clerk and the General Clerical Grade and I understand that the matter has been taken up by the Department, and I would like to add that I was informed only yesterday that Govern ment proposals to this end will be put before the Library Staff within the next two weeks.
MR. TSIN (In Cantonese): -I wish to thank the Chairman and Mrs. ELLIOTT for paying close attention to this matter and also for dealing with this matter so expediently, but I want to ask whether in future the Select Committee will pay close attention to the effect of the pay on library staff, whether the pay has anything to do with their morale?
CHAIRMAN (In English):-First, it is not strictly in accordance with the Standing Orders because it does not relate to the original question. Nevertheless, as Mrs. ELLIOTT has already made a statement in that regard, the Chair will, in the public interest, give the floor to Mrs. ELLIOTT to answer it.
MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):--Mr. Chairman, I would like to assure Mr. TSIN that I am keeping a very close watch on this and I am in constant contact to find out the reactions of the staff. I am very much aware of this problem and will keep it under constant review.
MR. MACKENZIE (In English):-Mr. Chairman, in view of the fact that the seating capacity is inadequate during the periods of examina- tion, is it possible to provide additional facilities either in the libraries or in some other part of that district?
MRS. ELLIOTT (In English):-Mr. Chairman, until April of this year, we have been bound by the Government not to open any other study rooms because we were told it was a pilot scheme in Yau Ma Tei, and we had to wait for the Government to try out their education one
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
51
before we could do anything. Now we are on our own with finance, I can assure Mr. MACKENZIE that we are pushing ahead and I hope at the next meeting of the Libraries Select Committee we shall make as to where we can try to get study rooms so that more suggestions students may be accommodated, not only in study rooms but more libraries which will include study rooms.
CHAIRMAN (In English):-Thank you. Perhaps I might add that it is the intention of the Select Committee to recommend one study room per district eventually.
REPORT BY CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND ABATTOIRS SELECT COMMITTEE ON A CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE SELECT COMMITTEE
MR. R. H. LOBO (In English):—Mr. Chairman, in accordance with the proviso to the resolution carried by this Council on 10th April which appointed Members to Select Committees, I wish to announce that Mr. ALEX S. C. Wu has, regrettably, had to resign from the Markets and Abattoirs Select Committee. Unfortunately, with the number of select committees which have now been established, it has proved impossible to select a day for the regular meetings of the Select Com- mittee which is suitable to Mr. Wu who, of course, has many other commitments.
REPORT BY CHAIRMAN OF THE ADMINISTRATION
SELECT COMMITTEE ON A CHANGE OF MEMBERSHIP
IN THE SELECT COMMITTEE
MR. JOHN MACKENZIE (In English):-Mr. Chairman, I likewise have to report a change of membership in the Administration Select Committee. I regret to advise that Mr. FORSGATE has, due to his many other pressures, had to resign from the Select Committee. He will be a tremendous loss to the Select Committee, but all of us are aware of his many other commitments.
STATEMENTS
(1) MR. KENNETH T. C. LO, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION AND AMENITIES SELECT Committee (In English):-Mr. Chairman, as Chair- man of the Recreation and Amenities Select Committee, I wish to make
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