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question. When the suspect cans were found, they were being shipped back to the country of origin.
3. MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG asked the following question (in Cantonese):--What plans are there for Council to develop and expand its library facilities?
MRS. GRACE HO, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-In the absence on leave of Mrs. ELLIOTT, the Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, it falls on me to reply.
This question concerns the Council's plans for the development and expansion of its library services.
In 1973 when the Council gained financial autonomy, its library service consisted of 5 libraries with a combined stock of 490,151 books. To-day, nine years later, the Council operates 13 libraries of varying size, and 2 mobile libraries (one each for the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island); the libraries have a combined stock of over 1 million books. In addition, there are separate sections for a video library within the Yau Ma Tei Library and 3 music listening libraries at the City Hall, Yau Ma Tei and Kwun Tong Libraries with some 19,200 items of audio-visual material, including video cassettes, gramophone records, audio cassettes, microfilms and slides.
The Council's policy is to provide:-
(a) one district library of some 1,400 m2 for every 200,000 people, or a total of 17 district libraries spread over the ten urban districts of Hong Kong and Kowloon. These libraries are to be accommodated in suitable, permanent Council buildings;
(b) 14 small static libraries of about 100 m2 each, which will function as extensions of the district libraries;
(c) an Arts library in the Administration Block of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Centre, which will be a reference library specializing in the Performing and Fine Arts;
(d) a bookstock equivalent to 0.7 books per head of the urban population; and
(e) a wide range of library extension activities in the form of lectures and talks, music and art appreciation sessions, interest clubs, video and film shows, book and small art exhibitions, story telling for children and organized group visits. These activities are designed to relate library facilities and resources to a wide range of interests in the community, and to stimulate a variety of interests particularly in young people.
As regards district libraries, the first of these was opened in 1979 in the Chai Wan Market building. Another, in the Aberdeen Urban Council Complex is due to be opened at the end of 1982. However, further progress is dependent upon the Council's building complex programme, and present indications are that most of the district libraries will be completed around 1985-86. By that time it should be possible to phase out most of the existing libraries now in leased accommodation with savings in rent.
The first small library was opened in the Western district in 1977. Last month, another was opened in Happy Valley. A further two are due to be opened over the next two months at Telford Gardens in Kowloon Bay and Shun Lee Estate respectively. Every effort is being made to locate suitable premises for these libraries, with a view to having all 14 libraries in operation by the end of 1984-85.
The Arts Library is due for completion in 1985-86 and during the current financial year 1982-83 the Council has provided $3.3 m for the purchase of books and audio-visual material for this library.
The overall per capita provision of bookstock to-day is 0.31. Each year the Council allocates a sum of money for further development, and during the current financial year 1982-83, a total of $7.2 million has been provided for this purpose. But clearly, a more rapid development of the stock is dependent upon the availability of space to accommodate the books and hence, on the completion of the permanent district libraries.
Each month an average of 3,392 extension activities are organized by the libraries and during 1981-82 some 1.1 million people participated in and enjoyed these activities. Since 1979, the Council has organized an annual 'Chinese Literary Week'. Winning contributions are published in order to stimulate greater appreciation of Chinese literature amongst the community. Last year, a creative writing competition in Chinese for children was organized, and the six winning entries have been published. Response has been most encouraging and over 60,000 copies of the first three entries have already been sold. We plan to repeat this activity this year.
Recently, the Council decided to establish a Central Library for Kowloon at Pui Ching Road. The cost of this project is estimated at $16.5 million, and it is expected to be completed before the end of 1984.
In order to increase the efficiency of its library service, the Council also agreed to implement a phased library automation plan, and our Electronic Data Processing Section is currently engaged on a feasibility study.
Any library expansion programme is not complete without trained staff. Currently the Council is supporting a 3-year part-time Diploma Course in librarianship, which is jointly organized by the Extra-Mural Department of the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Library Association. Staff have also been sent overseas for training in extension activities, etc.
MR. SHUM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as to the library extension activities, I would like to ask whether there is any service provided for primary students aged from 6 to 12?
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Page 42 of 142
Page 42 of 142
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
question. When the suspect cans were found, they were being shipped back to
the country of origin.
3. MR. SHUM CHOI-SANG asked the following question (in Cantonese):--What
plans are there for Council to develop and expand its library facilities?
MRS. GRACE HO, VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE LIBRARIES SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-In the absence on leave of Mrs. ELLIOTT, the Chairman of the Libraries Select Committee, it falls on me to reply.
This question concerns the Council's plans for the development and expansion of its library services.
In 1973 when the Council gained financial autonomy, its library service consisted of 5 libraries with a combined stock of 490 151 books. To-day, nine years later, the Council operates 13 libraries of varying size, and 2 mobile libraries (one each for the Kowloon Peninsula and Hong Kong Island); the libraries have a combined stock of over 1 million books. In addition, there are separate sections for a video library within the Yau Ma Tei Library and 3 music listening libraries at the City Hall, Yau Ma Tei and Kwun Tong Libraries with some 19 200 items of audio-visual material, including video cassettes, gramo phone records, audio cassettes, microfilms and slides.
The Council's policy is to provide:-
(a) one district library of some 1 400 m2 for every 200 000 people, or a total of 17 district libraries spread over the ten urban districts of Hong Kong and Kowloon. These libraries are to be accommodated in suitable, permanent Council buildings;
(b) 14 small static libraries of about 100 m2 each, which will function as
extensions of the district libraries;
(c) an Arts library in the Administration Block of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Centre, which will be a reference library specializing in the Performing and Fine Arts;
(d) a bookstock equivalent to 0.7 books per head of the urban population; and (e) a wide range of library extension activities in the form of lectures and talks. music and art appreciation sessions, interest clubs, video and film shows, book and small art exhibitions, story telling for children and organized group visits. These activities are designed to relate library facilities and resources to a wide range of interests in the community, and to stimulate a variety of interests particularly in young people.
As regards district libraries, the first of these was opened in 1979 in the Chai Wan Market building. Another, in the Aberdeen Urban Council Complex is due to be opened at the end of 1982. However, further progress is dependent upon the Council's building complex programme, and present indications are
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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49
that most of the district libraries will be completed around 1985-86. By that time it should be possible to phase out most of the existing libraries now in leased accommodation with savings in rent.
The first small library was opened in the Western district in 1977. Last month, another was opened in Happy Valley. A further two are due to be opened over the next two months at Telford Gardens in Kowloon Bay and Shun Lee Estate respectively. Every effort is being made to locate suitable premises for these libraries, with a view to having all 14 libraries in operation by the end of
1984-85.
The Arts Library is due for completion in 1985-86 and during the current financial year 1982-83 the Council has provided $3.3 m for the purchase of books and audio-visual material for this library.
The overall per capita provision of bookstock to-day is 0.31. Each year the Council allocates a sum of money for further development, and during the current financial year 1982-83, a total of $7.2 million has been provided for this purpose. But clearly, a more rapid development of the stock is dependent upon the availability of space to accommodate the books and hence, on the completion of the permanent district libraries.
Each month an average of 3 392 extension activities are organized by the libraries and during 1981-82 some 1.1 million people participated in and enjoyed these activities. Since 1979, the Council has organized an annual Chinese Literary Week'. Winning contributions are published in order to stimulate greater appreciation of Chinese literature amongst the community. Last year, a creative writing competition in Chinese for children was organized, and the six winning entries have been published. Response has been most encouraging and over 60 000 copies of the first three entries have already been sold. We plan to repeat this activity this year.
Recently, the Council decided to establish a Central Library for Kowloon at Pui Ching Road. The cost of this project is estimated at $16.5 million, and it is expected to be completed before the end of 1984.
In order to increase the efficiency of its library service, the Council also agreed to implement a phased library automation plan, and our Electronic Data Processing Section is currently engaged on a feasibility study.
Any library expansion programme is not complete without trained staff. Currently the Council is supporting a 3-year part-time Diploma Course in librarianship, which is jointly organized by the Extra-Mural Department of the University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Library Association. Staff have also been sent overseas for training in extension activities, etc.
MR. SHUM (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, as to the library extension activities, I would like to ask whether there is any service provided for primary students aged from 6 to 12?
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.